Wisconsin State Patrol and Wisconsin School Bus Association team up to promote safe driving near school buses

​​Operation Safe Stop Week, Sept. 21-25​

Release date: September 21, 2026​​

The Wisconsin State Patrol and Wisconsin School Bus Association (WSBA) are teaming up to promote safe driving near buses during the annual Operation Safe Stop Week, Sept. 21-25. The collaborative campaign focuses on educating motorists about the dangers of passing a stopped school bus and ensuring school buses are operated safely.

“Every time a driver fails to stop for a school bus, children are put at serious risk of a tragic outcome that no family should have to experience,” Wisconsin State Patrol Superintendent Tim Carnahan said. “To keep children safe, drivers need their full attention on the road every time they get behind the wheel. Follow speed limits, watch your surroundings and slow down or stop when you approach a school bus. These simple actions will help keep kids safe as they get on and off the bus.”

In 2025, more than 1,300 citations were given to motorists on Wisconsin roadways who failed to stop for a school bus. Wisconsin law​ requires drivers in both directions to stop at least 20 feet from a school bus with flashing red warning lights. The only exception is if you are traveling on the other side of a divided road that is separated by a median or other physical barrier. Most school buses also have amber lights. When the bus is about to stop, the flashing amber lights come on. That signals drivers to slow down because red flashing lights will soon be activated. 

Operation Safe Stop Week aims to prevent traffic violations that impact school bus safety. The WSBA works with its members to help identify bus stops that commonly experience illegal passing. This week, Wisconsin State Patrol officers are directed to those identified stops to watch for motorists driving dangerously with added focus on illegal passing of school buses. Officers visit other areas of concern within their regions and follow school buses on their route to ensure drivers are following the rules of the road and children are safe. This joint initiative also gives officers an opportunity to meet with drivers of school buses and ensure their lights and other safety features are working properly.

"This week-long initiative is dedicated to protecting Wisconsin's children and ensuring their safety,” WSBA Executive Director Cherie Hime said. “WSBA members are grateful for the partnership with the Wisconsin State Patrol on this annual education event over the past nine years. Public awareness and compliance are critical to ensuring safe pupil transportation."

Passing a school bus illegally is extremely dangerous and can be costly. In March 2024, Wisconsin Act 154​ significantly increased the penalties for failing to stop for a school bus displaying flashing lights. A citation for failure to stop for a school bus now costs $676.50 and four demerit points. 

To learn more from WisDOT about school bus safety, visit wisconsindot.gov/Pages/safety/equipment/sch-bus/dont-pass.aspx​. To learn more about the WSBA, visit wi-sba.org. 

Images available for download.