According to state statute 346.48(1) The operator of a vehicle which approaches from the front or rear any school bus which has stopped on any street or highway and is displaying flashing red warning lights, shall stop the vehicle not less than 20 feet from the bus and shall remain stopped until the bus resumes motion or the operator extinguishes the flashing red warning lights. School bus drivers have forms with them to describe an illegal passing incident to the police. When we receive these forms, we follow up on them and write the appropriate citations when necessary.

     School bus drivers also have some responsibility when displaying their flashing red lights. For instance, school bus operators shall not use the flashing red warning lights in: special school bus loading areas where the bus is entirely off the traveled portion of the highway, or in residence or business districts when pupils or other authorized passengers are to be loaded or unloaded where a sidewalk and curb are laid on both sides of the road.

     Passing a school bus that is unloading passengers is allowed under SS 346.48(3), which reads: if the operator of a motor vehicle overtakes a school bus which is stopped and is loading or unloading pupils or other authorized passengers at an intersection on the right side of the roadway in a business or residence district in which the display of the flashing red warning lights on the school bus is not permitted, the operator shall pass at a safe distance to the left of the school bus and shall not turn to the right in front of the school bus at that intersection.