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MARQUETTE -- With school coming back into session, Michigan State Police reminds drivers to, once again, be aware of bus safety.
"I think awareness is the biggest factor that drivers have to know right now, because we're just not used to seeing school busses," MSP Public Information Officer Mark Giannunzio said.
He said drivers making morning and afternoon commutes should be more cautious about running into a bus stop.
"Having that awareness that, yes you might run into a bus stop and it might take you a few minutes to get to work if you get behind one of those buses. You adhere to those strict laws that we have in place to keep those kids safe," Giannunzio said. "When those yellow lights start flashing, start slowing down. If they're red, do not pass that school bus."
According to MSP's school bus safety webpage, drivers should stop at least 20 feet away from buses when red lights are flashing, unless driving in the opposite direction on a divided highway. Drivers who pass stopped school buses could be charged with civil infractions. Those fines are between $100 and $500.
Drivers who pass a stopped school bus and cause a death are subject to a felony with either a fine up to $7,500 or 15 years in jail. Drivers who cause an injury face a misdemeanor charge and either a fine up to $7,500 or 15 years in jail, according to Michigan laws.
Giannunzio said that drivers who see another driver failing to follow bus safety laws should report the driver to 911.
"That's putting a kid or kids in danger and I think the 911 system is good for that," Giannunzio said. "Furthermore, you know, that goes to 911 and they're going to dispatch a police unit as close to that situation as possible and hopefully we're able to hold that person accountable that has violated a very strict law."
During the third week of October during National School Bus Safety Week, Operation Safe Stop is conducted to provide an opportunity to educate drivers on how to safety share the road with buses. This week also educates drivers on keeping students safe when being picked up and dropped off at bus stops.
According to the October 2022 Operation Safe Stop fact sheet, Mondays had the highest number of school bus-involved crashes. Last October, there were 132 school bus-involved crashes.
Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center reported that most of these crashes occurred between 6 a.m. and 8:59 a.m.
For more information about school bus safety, go to michigan.gov/msp/divisions/ohsp/safety-programs/school-bus-safety.