By Scott Bolthouse | The Huron Hub
ScottBolthouse@HuronHub.com
Published Jan. 22, 2020
Huron Township police conducted a special patrol of Huron School District bus routes on Wednesday that aimed to enforce stopped school bus laws.
The operation was organized by the Traffic Services Unit, which included several plain clothes officers on multiple buses, several unmarked police vehicles, following multiple buses, and fully marked patrol vehicles assigned to initiate traffic stops on offenders.
High school, middle school, and elementary bus routes were targeted and enforced.
No drivers were cited during Wednesday’s operation.
In December, one driver was ticketed during a similar operation by police.
In October, three drivers were ticketed during a patrol of school bus routes that month.
“Below are some tips for parents that we hope will be helpful,” said Everette Robbins, director of public safety.
● Parents and kids should wait for the bus to come to a complete stop and for the red lights to be engaged before approaching the bus. Many drivers were observed to stop for the yellow lights, but not all. Many kids began to cross the street while the yellow yield lights were flashing, which could cause them to get struck by a vehicle.
● Multiple bus stops on busy roads had elementary age children at the stop without an adult present. This was especially dangerous with wet road conditions and kids too close to the road.
● Multiple parents were observed at the stop with their hands full. This included cell phones, coffee, etc. This could make it difficult for a parent to pull their child to safety in the event of an emergency.
Michigan’s stopped school bus law can be viewed here.
