NEW ROCKFORD, N.D. (NDHP) – To enhance safety for school children, North Dakota Highway Patrol (NDHP) Troopers in the northeast region will partner with school officials from Finley-Sharon, New Rockford, and Central Valley to conduct ‘Trooper on a Bus’ enforcement efforts.

During ‘Trooper on a Bus,’ an NDHP trooper rides along on a regular bus route and observes drivers. If a violation occurs, the trooper will radio the information to another trooper in a nearby squad car where a traffic stop will be initiated with enforcement action taken.

The first event will take place with Finley-Sharon elementary students on Tuesday, April 10. The other two events, in New Rockford and Central-Valley, which is located in Traill county, will take place on Thursday, April 12.

NDHP Safety and Education Officer Lt. Michael Roark states,” North Dakota laws protect students who are getting off and on a school bus by making it illegal for drivers to pass a school bus dropping off or picking up students, regardless of the direction of approach.”

Roark went on to say the consequence for a driver failing to stop as required for a school bus is a $100 fine and six points assessed to their license. NDHP’s ‘Trooper on a Bus’ is one of many activities used to enhance public safety and to spread awareness of related traffic laws to include the dangers of failing to stop for school buses when children are loading and unloading.