INDIANAPOLIS — New safety equipment for school buses is being tested right here in central Indiana.
The Clark-Pleasant School Corporation has spent four weeks testing the system called the "Predictive Stop Arm."
The system gives a verbal warning along with flashing lights when a vehicle gets to close to the bus while the stop arm is out.
Clark-Pleasant School Corporation Transportation Director Robert Downin says his bus drivers welcome the "extra eyes" on the road.
"You got all kinda distractions," Downin said. "You got kids yelling and screaming and it only takes one split second for the driver to take their eyes off the road or eyes off that child who is passing in front of them to go home, for something to happen. This way it helps them control what is happening even outside the bus and we've never had that before."
The Predictive Stop Arm can be integrated with the bus' existing cameras to capture license plates of drivers who pass the stop arms as well.
It's currently being tested in five states and will be available for school districts to purchase later this summer.
