Lansing, MI – Michigan law enforcement is urging drivers to use extra caution this week as National School Bus Safety Week begins, highlighting an alarming number of illegal bus passes across the state.
According to the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan saw 1,044 crashes involving school buses in 2024, including 54 at bus stops. While one of those crashes was fatal, the death did not occur on a school bus. In total, 26 people were injured.
Officials are emphasizing a simple but crucial rule: if the bus lights are flashing red—stop.
During a one-day survey in May 2025, more than 2,000 Michigan school bus drivers reported 2,207 incidents of motorists illegally passing stopped school buses, a statistic that safety advocates say underscores a growing danger for children on their way to and from school.
The campaign, known as Operation Safe Stop 2025, runs throughout this week, aiming to remind drivers that ignoring school bus signals not only breaks the law but puts children’s lives at risk.
“Red means STOP,” the sheriff’s office wrote in a social media post. “Operation Safe Stop 2025!”
Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead for school routes, slow down in neighborhoods, and stay alert during morning and afternoon pickup hours.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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