 A disturbing video released today of an 11-year-old girl nearly being hit by a vehicle after she exited her school bus to walk home. As you can see in the video, a motorist fails to stop for the school bus. Thankfully, the bus driver's quick actions, honking his horn, alerted the girl to the passing vehicle, helping the Rosemount 6th grader avoid injury or possible death. Minnesota Department of Public Safety officials say the video highlights the need for motorists to obey the stop-arm law. They say motorists failing to stop for school buses continues to be a serious issue that risks children's lives. As you witnessed in this video, a stop-arm violation happens very fast and the school bus driver was only able to honk his horn to get me on his attention to ensure her safety. Thankfully, he did. During our annual school bus stop-arm survey earlier this year, 3,659 bus drivers from across the state reported 703 violations in just one day. People are going through the stop-arm because they're in too big a hurry, they aren't paying attention, or they simply don't know what to do. It is the law in Minnesota for motorists to stop at least 20 feet from a bus displaying its flashing red lights and stop-arm. In the past six years, law enforcement across the state wrote nearly 9,000 stop-arm violation citations. Now, state law requires vehicles to stop for school buses. When the bus activator, bus driver activates the flashing lights and has the crossing arm fully extended. In Minnesota, motorists must stop at least 20 feet from a school bus that is displaying red flashing lights and a stop-arm when approaching from the rear and from the opposite direction on undivided roads. As of August 1st, drivers who violate that law will face a larger fine of citations increased from $300 to $500 this year for stop-arm violations. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.