Minnesota State Patrol: 1,174 school bus stop-arm violations in 2019

(FOX 9) - The Minnesota State Patrol is reminding drivers to obey school bus stop-arm laws after more than 1,000 drivers were cited for violations in 2019.

According to the state patrol, 1,174 drivers were cited for school bus stop-arm violations in 2019. Though it is still too high, the number has dropped 25 percent since 2014.

Minnesota State Patrol reports more than 1,000 stop arm violations in 2019

The high number of violations has authorities concerned that Minnesotans aren't paying attention or are taking dangerous risks on the roads around buses.

Minnesota law requires drivers to stop at least 20 feet from buses in both directions when the flashing lights are on and the stop arm is out.

Last week, a teen girl in Edina was injured when a driver went around a bus and hit her. The car involved in the incident was located Tuesday, but the driver is still at large.

State Patrol Lt. Robert Zak said drivers violating the state's stop arm laws need to pay more attention.

"The hair on your neck just stands up," Zak said. "You could be watching the videos in the office or on the couch and you feel for that near miss. And it could be much worse. And that's what we want to avoid in to get people's attention to stop."

The fine is $500 for those who are caught, but the consequences reach far beyond that.

"Because it's the potential for somebody's life being lost," Zak said. "It would be a traumatic incident somebody would be involved in. And that's what we want to avoid."