With schools back in session, that means school buses are out and about making sure our students get to and from class safely.

Perry Police Department school resource officer Pat Jans says it’s crucial for everyone to obey the law, especially when it comes to school buses.

“Unfortunately every year we have a few issues with school bus violations.  The police department or the sheriff’s office, depending on the jurisdiction of where the violation happened at, are taxed under Iowa law with initiating an investigation and writing citations.  They’ve made some changes to the laws recently that makes it a very severe consequence and penalty. Plus it’s a huge safety concern when the students are either loading or unloading from the buses, that people do follow the proper protocols with the law” says Jans.

And it’s important for drivers to realize that the lights on buses apply to drivers heading in both directions.

“The (bus) drivers are required by law to activate those amber lights, the yellow lights well before they come to a complete stop and extend that stop arm when the lights switch to red.  Vehicular traffic in both directions has to stop and wait until that bus removes the stop arm and then continues on the route.”

If a motorist violates the laws, school bus drivers will file reports with the police department, who will then investigate and issue citations when appropriate.