Bow police increase patrols for school bus violations

Bow police are increasing patrols to address a rise in drivers ignoring school bus stop laws. Officials have received numerous complaints about vehicles not stopping or even passing buses when their red lights are on. Recently, police trailed four buses during drop-off times on Thursday and Friday to monitor driver behavior. State law requires drivers to stop and keep at least 25 feet away from school buses with flashing red lights. Erin Smith, the Bow transportation coordinator, noted that this issue has worsened recently. She mentioned a significant increase in violations over the past two weeks, which prompted her to contact the police. The police responded quickly and began following buses, finding multiple violations. In one instance, an officer pulled over a driver just minutes after starting their patrol. Drivers caught ignoring this law could face fines of several hundred dollars.