Cullman County Schools bus driver pleads with drivers to stop endangering students' lives

CULLMAN COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) -- A Cullman County Schools bus driver stopped a student from stepping off the school bus moments before a vehicle failed to stop once the stop sign was activated, according to the Cullman County Sheriff's Office.

Colby Adams has been driving buses for the school district for four years. He said what happened on Wednesday happens far too often.

“It was by God’s grace,” Adams said. “It was an answer to prayer that I was able to see that in advance before something tragic could have happened.”

In a video captured of the incident, you can see the bus come to a complete stop, and you can hear the bus driver warn the student to wait. The video shows a white SUV failing to stop once the stop sign was activated.

The elementary school student then safely crossed Highway 278.

“By God’s grace I was able to see it and I was able to warn that girl, ‘hey he’s not stopping, stay with me,'” Adams added.

Adams, who is also an associate pastor, drives bus routes every morning and afternoon for Cullman County Schools. He said he observes drivers disregarding the stop sign about once a week.

“People have told me that I was very calm in the video, and the reason why, one of the reasons is because it’s not uncommon, this is something that happens pretty frequently,” Adams said.

He’s pleading with drivers to pay attention when approaching a bus:

“Stop means stop,” he said. “When you see the red lights come on at the top of the bus, and you see that stop sign coming out, you need to stop.”

The Cullman County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the situation and reminds drivers that state law requires all vehicles come to a complete stop before reaching the school bus once the stop sign has been activated. The only exception is when a driver is on a divided highway with four or more lanes and encounters a stopped bus in the opposing lane.

Adams says any other bus driver would have done the same thing.

“I very easily could have missed it, once again I credit it God’s grace and answered prayer, and I credit it to Cullman County does a great job of training their bus drivers," he said.

Adams hopes that by hearing his story, drivers will put children’s safety first.

The Cullman County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the incident. The school district says its rear facing camera was operational, but the vehicle was traveling too fast to get a clear license plate reading.