School buses are back on the roads with Michigan’s K-12 schools in session for 2025-26, and officials say drivers need to give them space or they may face civil or criminal penalties.
“Less than 1% of all traffic fatalities involve children on school transportation vehicles. However, children are more at risk when approaching or leaving a school bus,” according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “It’s important for all drivers, as well as parents and students, to understand school bus safety.”
All drivers are required to stop when lights are flashing or stop arms are down or they can face hefty fines. When a school bus is stopped, 20 of space is required to allow children to safely cross the road, unless you are driving in the opposite direction on a divided highway.
“In every state, it is illegal for you to pass a school bus while the stop-arm is extended and the red lights are flashing,” NHTSA said.
In Michigan, if a driver passes a stopped school bus with red lights flashing, they will be fined $100-$500, according to the Michigan State Police. If a child is injured or killed, a driver who ignores signals could face jail time.
Many school buses in Michigan have cameras that record scofflaws and can be used to identify drivers who violate laws.
In 2023, according to the latest Michigan Traffic Crash Facts, there were 988 school bus-related crashes, with five fatalities.
In addition, 73 crashes occurred at school bus stops, causing 31 minor to life-changing injuries, according to a 2024 MSP press release. The majority of bus-related deaths and injuries involve pedestrians — mostly children — who are struck by a bus or injured when they are exiting the bus to cross traffic, MSP said.
As school buses begin their daily routes across Michigan, here’s a reminder of what’s legal.
Is it legal to pass a stopped school bus in Michigan?
No, it is illegal to pass a stopped school bus with its red flashing lights activated across the U.S.
What are the consequences of passing a stopped school bus in Michigan?
Drivers who fail to stop and pass a school bus with its light activated face a civil infraction, according to the Michigan State Police, which could result in a $100-$500 fine. The fine is doubled when it occurs within a school zone.
A driver can be fined $1,000-$7,500 and serve jail or prison time — up to 15 years — if they cause injury or death.
What does it mean when a school bus flashes yellow or red lights?
When in front or behind a school bus, here’s what flashing yellow or red lights mean:
Drivers should always slow down within school or residential areas where children could be near. Some indications of such areas include playgrounds, crossing guards, safety patrols and bicycles.
In addition, drivers should always watch for children between parked cars or other objects.
Why don’t school buses have seat belts?
Rather than having seat belts, school buses have thick, wide, and tightly spaced padded seats that absorb the impact of a sudden stop. The safety measure is called compartmentalization, according to the Michigan State Police.
What is National School Bus Safety Week?
National School Bus Safety Week is a public education program on Oct. 20-24, 2025, recognized across the U.S. for students, school bus drivers, parents and anyone on the roads to remember and promote school bus safety.
Contact Sarah Moore @ smoore@lsj.com
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Is it legal to pass a school bus in Michigan? What drivers should know
Reporting by Sarah Moore, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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