BEATRICE - Local police say they are still encountering motorists not stopping for school buses in Beatrice that have their stop arm extended and flashing lights activated.


The problem seems most frequent on West Court Street, where there are two lanes of travel with a middle turn lane.
Since it’s not a divided highway with a median, motorists are required to come to a stop for a school bus with stop arm and lights activated…..from both directions.


Mayor Stan Wirth says it’s a serious safety issue. "This is a situation, that, it seems like it has accelerated this year, over previous years. This could be a serious situation and it's a situation that we take very seriously. We do have....randomly officers riding those school buses...so if we see that, a license number will be recorded, they will be contacted, and then there is a really hefty fine that goes along with that".


On U.S. Highway 77 in north Beatrice, where there is a raised median separating the four-lanes, vehicles on the opposite side of where the school bus is traveling, are not required to stop.


Wirth urges motorists to stop for the buses in those areas where the two lanes are split by a turn lane.
"Slow down, stay behind the bus...and you'll still get to your destination and you'll get to your destination without any kind of difficulties".