Police will heavily focus on illegal school bus passes next week | Local | abc12.com

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Stock photo of a school bus extending its stop sign.

Police from across the state will be participating in "Operation Safe Stop" next week, an effort to look for drivers who illegally pass school buses.

MICHIGAN (WJRT) - Police from across the state will be participating in "Operation Safe Stop" next week, an effort to look for drivers who illegally pass school buses.

Operation Safe Stop is a statewide enforcement campaign that will take place from Oct. 21-25. The event runs in conjunction with School Bus Safety Week.

Officers will be focusing on drivers who don't stop when the school bus has its red flashing stop sign extended.

According to the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center, in 2023, across the state;

According to a one-day study done by school bus drivers back in May, 1,362 motorists passed a school bus illegally.

When drivers see the overhead flashing yellow lights on a school bus, drivers should be prepared to stop at least 20 feet away from the school bus.

Drivers who illegally pass a stopped school bus may be charged up to $500. If a driver illegally passes a stopped school bus and injures someone, the driver could face a misdemeanor charge of a $1,000 fine and/or up to a year in jail. If a driver illegally passes a stopped school bus and kills someone, the driver could face a felony charge of $7,500 and/or up to 15 years in prison.

For more information about Operation Safe Stop and school bus safety, click this link.

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