WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office is sharing what could have been a tragic situation, in the hopes of reminding drivers how to be safe around school buses.
The sheriff’s office posted a video to its Facebook page last week, showing a car swerve around a school bus as a child climbs on during an icy morning.
The student isn’t even on board as the car slides past it, nearly hitting him. It could have resulted in tragedy, but the child is not physically hurt.
The sheriff’s office says it has made contact with the driver and “appropriate law enforcement action has been taken.”
The sheriff is reminding drivers that they are required to stop at least 20 feet away from any school bus stopped and flashing its red warning lights. This applies to vehicles approaching from behind and in opposing lanes.
All lanes of traffic must stop for school buses, except if in the opposing lane when there is a center median.
Vehicles cannot proceed until the bus resumes its driving and has turned off its red warning lights.
The stop sign on the bus is an added feature to communicate with drivers, but it is not required.
Especially in icy conditions, the sheriff’s office recommends drivers slow down and give themselves extra distance from school buses.
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