The Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office announced on social media that August is National Traffic Awareness Month. From August 11 to 15, they will conduct Operation Bus Watch. This campaign focuses on the safety of students and drivers near school buses and in school zones, as reported by the Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office.
In 2023, there were 5,959 traffic accidents in Cabarrus County, resulting in 1,437 injuries and 27 deaths, including motorcyclists and pedestrians. Alcohol-related crashes numbered 271, and speeding caused 226 incidents. School buses were involved in 36 accidents. To address safety, Cabarrus County officers will closely monitor stop-arm violations, which happen when drivers ignore the extended stop arm on school buses during student loading or unloading, as stated by the Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office.
According to the Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office on their Facebook page, they shared a message saying, "Every choice behind the wheel matters—slow down, stay alert, drive sober, and watch for pedestrians, bicyclists, and school buses." This message is based on traffic data from Log Into North Carolina and the NC Office of State Budget & Management. As the school year starts, Operation Bus Watch will focus on enforcement and education to promote safety on the roads.
