During a recent city council meeting, interns from the city attorney's office presented their research on school bus violations, highlighting a concerning trend in traffic safety. Carter Crane and Alexis Cantu, who interned over the summer, analyzed data from 2021 and 2022, revealing that violations of Arkansas code 27-51-1004, which mandates that vehicles stop for school buses with activated stop signs, are most prevalent in the afternoons. Their findings indicated that 38 individuals were charged in 2021, with 28 pleading guilty, while 55 were charged in 2022, with 47 guilty pleas.

The interns emphasized the demographic breakdown of offenders, noting a consistent pattern where males aged 20 to 29 were the most frequent violators. They also pointed out that the introduction of cameras on school buses has significantly aided in reporting these violations, as bus drivers can document incidents more effectively.

Crane and Cantu stressed the importance of addressing these violations, citing alarming reports from bus drivers about near misses involving children. They proposed that educational pamphlets be distributed as part of the punishment for violators to raise awareness about the law and its implications for child safety. The interns advocated for these pamphlets to be a regular part of community outreach efforts.

In a separate presentation, fellow interns Avery Caldwell and Madison Payton discussed DWI cases in Conway, analyzing data from 2022 and 2023. They reported a total of 111 DWI offenses in 2022, with a similar trend observed in 2023. The majority of offenders were aged 21 to 39, and the peak times for arrests were between 10 PM and 4 AM. The interns noted that the average blood alcohol content (BAC) of offenders was alarmingly high, often exceeding three times the legal limit.

The city attorney's office has implemented new measures to enhance the prosecution of DWI cases, including the use of sobriety court for repeat offenders and increased collaboration with local law enforcement to gather evidence. These initiatives aim to improve community safety and reduce the incidence of drunk driving.

The presentations underscored the ongoing efforts by the city to address traffic safety and public health concerns, with a focus on education and enforcement to protect the community, particularly its children.