With young people returning to school this month, school officials are reminding drivers to watch for children and stop for school buses.

Bridgman Public Schools Transportation Supervisor Dave McIntyre said students will be waiting along roads in the early morning, often before sunrise, and in the afternoon when buses drop them off. He urged drivers to be alert and remember that school buses activate amber warning lights about 200 feet before a stop. Once the bus door opens, the lights turn red and the stop arm extends, signaling all traffic to stop.

“Some students cross the road, some stay on the curb side,” McIntyre said. “We just want to make sure everybody’s aware, especially new and younger drivers who may not have the experience to pay attention to everything like that.”

He cautioned that unlike traffic signals, where yellow often prompts drivers to speed up, amber bus lights should be a signal to prepare to stop because children may be boarding or exiting. McIntyre noted that children can be unpredictable and may not fully understand traffic dangers.

McIntyre said buses are equipped with cameras on the front, rear, and side to capture violations. Drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses can be ticketed, face fines and court costs, and see their insurance rates increase.

“It happens all over the United States and it’s a big problem because students are getting hit and other accidents occur,” McIntyre said.

McIntyre says the goal is to keep students safe as buses return to Michigan roads.

In Michigan, the law requires that drivers stop at least 20 feet from a school bus when it has it red lights flashing. Drivers must remain stopped until the bus’ red lights turn off or if the bus resumes driving. However, drivers do not need to stop for the bus if it’s on the other side of a divided road with a barrier, such as a concrete or grass median, an island or other structures that divide the two roads.