DATE: August 4, 2025
SUBJECT: Back to School Traffic Safety Enforcement
RELEASE NUMBER: 2025-NR-0804
CONTACT: Major Matt Corn
AUTHORITY: Sheriff Noah Robinson
As the new school year begins, the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office is increasing traffic enforcement around schools and along bus routes to help ensure a safe and smooth start for students, staff, and families.
The return to school brings a significant increase in traffic near campuses, including new bus routes and stops, congestion during pick-up and drop-off times, and new student drivers on the roads. Deputies are assisting school personnel with directing traffic at several locations to keep vehicles moving safely in and out of school parking lots.
The Sheriff’s Office continues to assign five specially trained school resource deputies to schools outside the city limits. These deputies provide law enforcement services, physical security, and informal mentoring to students throughout the academic year.
Over the next several weeks, deputies will increase patrols focused on identifying and stopping stop-arm violations, speeding in school zones, and other forms of reckless driving. The enforcement campaign is supported by grant funding from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI), made possible through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Sheriff Noah Robinson emphasized the importance of safe driving in school zones, stating: “The safety of our children must be a top priority for every driver. One careless decision near a school zone or bus stop can have devastating consequences. We’re asking everyone to slow down, pay attention, and make safety the rule, not the exception.”
Under Indiana law, passing a stopped school bus with its stop arm extended is a Class A Misdemeanor. If a child or other person is injured as a result, the offense becomes a Level 6 Felony. Despite these penalties, violations remain a widespread issue. A one-day observational survey in April 2022 recorded more than 2,000 stop-arm violations across the state, an alarming number that, when extrapolated over the school year, suggests hundreds of thousands of potential incidents.
Back-to-School Safety Tips:
- If available, use school bus transportation for your student.
- Take any “first-day photos” at home before leaving for school to avoid holding up drop-off lanes.
- Never park in school drop-off zones unless directed.
- Always use appropriate child safety restraints when transporting children in a vehicle.
- Obey posted speed limits and stay alert in and around school zones and bus stops.
- Stop for school buses displaying a red stop arm or flashing red lights; children may be crossing the road.
- Avoid cell phone use while driving, especially in school zones.
- Remind students to stay alert and watch for vehicles when getting on or off the bus.
- Plan ahead and leave early to avoid rushing and making unsafe driving choices.
- Report unsafe or reckless driving to 911 immediately.
The Sheriff’s Office urges all drivers to remain vigilant and patient as schools resume full operations and families adjust to daily routines.
Above: What to do when approaching a stopped school bus with a deployed stop arm.
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