Within the past few weeks Officers have been dispatched to in an increase in school bus violations. This is a reminder to everyone when you see the stop sign come out and the lights activated on a school bus you are required by state law to stop at least 20 feet from the bus in all directions unless on a highway that is divided. You are not to proceed until the bus resumes motion and has turned off its red warning lights.
A vehicle owner and or driver can be cited failing to stop for a school bus ($326.50 with four demerit points) when the driver of a car passes a school bus illegally. A law enforcement officer need not witness this violation if the school bus driver reports it to the law enforcement agency within 24 hours. Law Enforcement understands fines can be quite high for illegally passing a school bus, but the risk of hitting a child is even higher.
