Madison County Sheriff urges caution near school buses

MADISON, NE -- The Madison County Sheriff is urging drivers to be patient when driving near school buses.

Sheriff Todd Volk says his agency and other law enforcement organizations have seen an increase in complaints of drivers passing school buses that are stopping or are stopped to load or unload passengers.  He says passing stopped school buses is dangerous and illegal.

Volk says deputies will be working with local school officials to provide more enforcement.

Volk included a copy of the state statute in a news release.  

Nebraska Statute 60-6,175.

School bus; safety requirements; use of stop signal arm; use of warning signal lights; violations; penalty.

(1)    Upon meeting or overtaking, from the front or rear, any school bus on which the yellow warning signal lights are flashing, the driver of a motor vehicle shall reduce the speed of such vehicle to not more than twenty-five miles per hour, shall bring such vehicle to a complete stop when the school bus is stopped, the stop signal arm is extended, and the flashing red signal lights are turned on, and shall remain stopped until the flashing red signal lights are turned off, the stop signal arm is retracted, and the school bus resumes motion. This section shall not apply to approaching traffic in the opposite direction on a divided highway or to approaching traffic when there is displayed a sign as provided in subsection (8) of this section directing traffic to proceed. Any person violating this subsection shall be guilty of a Class IV misdemeanor, shall be fined five hundred dollars, and shall be assessed points on his or her motor vehicle operator's license pursuant to section 60-4,182.