Monroe, MI – A new safety initiative is rolling out across Monroe County as students prepare to return to class.
Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough has announced the launch of a School Bus Red Light Safety Campaign, urging motorists to stop for school buses and prioritize student safety during daily commutes.
According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, the campaign aims to raise awareness about the dangers of illegally passing stopped school buses. A recent statewide survey of Michigan school bus drivers reported 1,362 illegal passes in a single day this past May. Of those, 46 occurred on the right-hand side of the bus — a particularly dangerous location where students are likely to be boarding or exiting.
Key safety reminders include stopping for flashing red lights on school buses regardless of travel direction (unless on a divided highway), remaining stopped until the bus arm retracts, slowing down in school zones, and watching for children at crossings.
“As students head back to school, we’re reminding every driver in the community to be alert and cautious,” said Sheriff Goodnough. “Protecting children is a shared responsibility.”
The campaign coincides with the beginning of the 2025–26 school year, aiming to reduce violations and prevent accidents involving children boarding or leaving buses.
Passing a stopped school bus is both illegal and dangerous, officials emphasized.
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