Sergeant Jesse Gober of the Onslow County Sheriff's Office appealed to drivers to prioritize safety on holiday roadways, urging motorists not to drive impaired or distracted and to obey speed limits.

Gober said drivers must stop for school buses that are loading or unloading children: "If you see that bus stopped, with that stop arm out or those lights flashing or both, and they are receiving or discharging children, you must stop." He warned that failing to stop can result in a $500 fine and that repeated convictions can lead to license revocation.

He also explained North Carolina's "move over" law, which requires drivers to move over or, if that is not possible, slow well under the posted speed limit when approaching stopped law enforcement, fire, EMS or public-service vehicles displaying flashing lights. "The law states move over or slow down," Gober said, noting the requirement covers garbage trucks, tow trucks and wreckers.

Gober closed with a practical reminder: leave a few minutes earlier, slow down and pay attention to protected road users and first responders so everyone returns home safely.