Kobussen Buses Urges Drivers to Follow Laws to Keep Children Safe
MARSHFIELD, WI (OnFocus) – Kobussen Buses, which operates school buses for the School District of Marshfield, has reported an increase in vehicles illegally passing school buses in the first month of this academic year.
“We’ve had a significant increase in bus passings and running the red lights,” said Brianna Darrow, operations manager at Kobussen. “It’s out of the ordinary how many we’ve had recently.”
When a vehicle illegally passes a school bus, the driver writes down a license plate and description of the driver and vehicle. Then, Kobussen staff view the video camera footage that is recording on all of the buses and send it to the police department or sheriff’s office.
“It can be up to a $700 fine, depending on the driver’s record,” said Darrow.
She said Peach Street in Marshfield has been the location of many passing incidents, as well as the side streets off of Peach.
According to the National Safety Council, most of the children who lose their lives in bus-related incidents are 4 to 7 years old. They are hit by the bus, or by a motorist illegally passing a stopped bus.
“Luckily no one has been hurt so far, but I can’t imagine ever sleeping again at night after hitting a child. We encourage everyone to pay attention,” said Darrow.
The law throughout Wisconsin states that vehicles approaching a school bus that is displaying flashing red warning lights from the rear, or opposing lanes, must stop no closer than 20 feet from a stopped bus.
More school bus safety tips can be found here: https://www.onfocus.news/school-bus-safety-tips-for-the-upcoming-academic-year/
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Author: News Desk
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