WV Troopers: Drivers Still Passing School Buses - Beckley, Bluefield & Lewisburg News, Weather, Sports

WV Troopers: Drivers Still Passing School Buses

CHARLESTON (AP) -

State Police who rode with children on school buses across West Virginia this week say they're concerned by the many drivers who illegally passed those buses.

Troopers boarded buses on 23 routes in 12 counties and rode along Monday through Friday. They found motorists ignoring flashing red lights and extended stop arms on six of those routes.

It was unclear Friday how many tickets had been issued.

The state Department of Education says police are planning to do more unannounced ride-alongs in the future. They are part of a crackdown on the estimated 600 motorists a year who illegally pass stopped school buses.

State Superintendent of Schools Jorea Marple says failure to stop for buses puts children at risk of injury or death about 120,000 times each school year.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press