With next week being School Bus Safety Week, the Tuscola County Sheriff’s Office, other law enforcement agencies and schools around the Thumb are reminding drivers to be safe and be vigilant when driving near school buses.
Tuscola County deputies have issued 12 tickets thus far this year for school bus violations, and with 2022 seeing over 1000 crashes involving school buses, with the most accidents happening in October, the department and others are taking part in the state’s Operation Safe Stop from October 16th through 20th.
Law enforcement would like to remind the community that passing a stopped school bus could earn a driver a civil infraction carrying a fine up to $500, and up to $100 in costs. If that driver hits and injures someone while passing a school bus, that infraction is heightened to a misdemeanor punishable by a $1000 fine or a year in jail. The punishment is further heightened if the accident’s victim is killed, with the passing driver facing a felony punishable by up to 15 years in jail or $7,500.
Law enforcement and the state are reminding drivers to pay attention. If you see a slowing bus with its overhead yellow lights flashing, prepare to stop, with drivers needing to stop at least 20 feet away from buses when the red lights are flashing (unless driving in the opposite direction of a divided highway).
In addition to slowing down in or near school and residential areas, drivers are encouraged to look for clues, such as safety patrols, crossing guards, bicycles and playgrounds, that indicate children might be in the area. Also, don’t forget to watch for children and general pedestrians between parked cars and other objects.
