School bus safety reminders

RICHLAND CENTER, Wis (WRCO / WRCE) – As school begins Tuesday, motorists are reminded to remain cautious of children and school buses.

A one-day survey concerning illegal school bus passing found that the Wisconsin School Bus Association (WSBA) saw a slight decrease in 2025.  In 2024, the average rate was 38 percent, and with the new data received, the average decreased to 35 percent.

However, the continued disregard of the law to stop for a stopped school bus with red lights flashing increases the danger to children’s lives every school day. Of the 900 Wisconsin school bus driver reports this year, a total of 316 illegal passes were observed in one day, which shows that the average illegal passing rate is around 35 percent.

Adjusting for 100 percent of Wisconsin licensed school bus drivers, the annual school year impact is at least 861,336 illegal passes in a 180-day school year. These occurrences happen both in the morning and afternoon routes with the majority of vehicles passing a stop sign as they approach the bus head on.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation statistics, school bus transportation is the safest form of transportation over all other modes. Children are 70 times safer going to and from school in a yellow school bus than by walking, biking, being driven by parents in cars, or teens driving themselves.

The stopped yellow school bus that has its red lights flashing means that a child is going to be boarding or departing the bus. WSBA urges motorists to be aware of these situations and stop for the stopped school bus to avoid a potential tragedy.

---