The National Association for State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services is soliciting surveys from all states that record how many drivers on the nation's roads illegally drive past stopped school buses that are engaged in the pick-up or drop-off of students.

The 2011 National Stop Arm Violation Count originated following a panel presentation at the NASDPTS annual conference last fall in Portland, Ore., to address student vulnerability in the "danger zone," the 10- to 12-foot radius around the school bus where about 18 students on average are killed each year. Sometimes children are killed by their own school bus after loading or unloading. But just as frequently other motorists are to blame.

The group found that a national program was needed to improve safety for students around school bus stops, especially man some other motorists break or don't know the law pertaining to stopping for school buses that have their red lights flashing and stop arm extend. Part of the program would require having better, "reliable" national data on how many motorists actually pass school buses stopped to accept or discharge student riders. NASDPTS members passed a resolution to coordinate a national survey, which was hatched in early February.

Between March 1 and May 15 of this year, state director members were asked to coordinate surveys in each of their respective states that observes and reports incidents. Drivers in each state can use uniform forms provided by NASDPTS. Recordable data includes the time of day, how many motorists passed the bus, from what direction, and on what side of the bus.

NASDPTS said national findings will be shared with the industry later this year.