Operation Safe Stop This Week

Sunday, September 22nd, 2024 -- 10:18 AM

Operation Safe Stop Week seeks to promote school bus safety through education and enforcement efforts. Operation Safe Stop is a cooperative project supported by the Wisconsin State Patrol and Wisconsin School Bus Association.

The goal of Operation Safe Stop Week is to proactively educate motorists about the dangers of passing stopped school buses.

In Wisconsin, there are over 12,000 school buses that transport more than 750,000 students to and from school each school day and travel nearly 70 million miles a year. A survey conducted in May of 2024 of Wisconsin School Bus Drivers showed illegal passing incidents by motorists around school buses are becoming more common and on the rise.

Commonly, drivers are not fully alert and pass a stopped school bus. This is a very dangerous situation for the children, especially the younger ones who may not be watching traffic as closely as they should. Motorists are required to stop at least 20 feet from a stopped school bus that is displaying flashing red lights and stop arm. Each time a motorist violates the school bus stop law, he or she creates a real hazard for the students who are boarding or leaving the bus.

Wisconsin uses an 8-light school bus warning system. The alternately flashing yellow lights mean CAUTION to other motorists because the bus is preparing to stop. The flashing red lights and stop arm means you must STOP. 

School buses are the safest transportation on the road. Inattentive motorists who fail to stop for school buses put students in danger. During Operation Safe Stop Week law enforcement agencies across the state will be monitoring bus stops for motorists who fail to stop for school buses.

In Wisconsin, the fine for passing a stopped school bus violating Wisconsin Statute 346.48, can range from $500 to $1000 and 4 demerit points. This fine can be assessed to the driver who illegally passes a school bus or can be given to the vehicle owner in the state of Wisconsin. 

View the Wisconsin School Bus Association Motorist Safety PSA Here.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.