OTTAWA COUNTY, Mich. -- Law enforcement officers across the state will be ramping up patrols next week as part of a safety initiative looking for drivers who illegally pass school buses.
"Operation Safety Stop" will run from October 16th through the 20th, which is School Bus Safety Week.
Police will work with their local school districts to provide education and enforcement for their communities.
The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office reports motorists were seen passing a school bus illegally 864 times during a one-day study in May. You must stop at least 20 feet away from a bus when the overhead lights flash red.
The Sheriff's Office news release provides more information:
According to the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center (CJIC), in 2022, there were 1,041 crashes involving school buses in Michigan, including 81 that occurred at school bus stops. From the 81 bus stop crashes, there were 38 serious injuries and one fatality.
“Every time drivers ignore the flashing lights or stop arm of a bus, they are putting a student’s life in danger,” said Ottawa County Sheriff Steve Kempker. “‘Operation Safe Stop’ will help keep students safe and will educate drivers on how to safely share the road with school buses.”
Drivers should prepare to stop when they see the overhead flashing yellow lights of a school bus and stop at least 20 feet away from a bus when the overhead lights flash red.
Drivers who pass stopped school buses may be charged with civil infractions carrying a fine up to $500. Drivers who pass a stopped school bus and cause an injury face a misdemeanor charge and a fine up to $1,000 and/or up to one year in jail. Drivers who pass a stopped school bus and cause a death are subject to a felony with a fine up to $7,500 and/or up to 15 years in jail.
Also, according to CJIC, the majority of school bus-involved crashes occurred between 6 and 8:59 a.m., and October had the highest number of school bus-involved crashes with 136.
For more information about “Operation Safe Stop” and school bus safety, please visit www.Michigan.gov/SchoolBusSafety.
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