Marathon County Sheriff's Department Reminds Drivers to Obey Bus Laws

Monday, January 16th, 2023 -- 12:00 PM

The Marathon County Sheriff’s Office is experiencing an increase in citations issued for motorists not obeying bus laws.

Wisconsin State Statute 346.48 (1) states The operator of a vehicle which approaches from the front or rear any school bus which has stopped on a street or highway when the bus is equipped according to s. 347.25 (2) and when it 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.

The operator of any school bus which approaches from the front or rear any school bus which has stopped and is displaying flashing red warning lights shall display its flashing red lights while stopped.

This subsection does not apply to operators of vehicles proceeding in the opposite direction on a divided highway. In speaking with a few local bus companies, approximately 20 violations occur in Marathon County each week.

If this volume holds true for other bus companies across the county, the number of violations each week would increase exponentially. Most school buses are now equipped with cameras which are helpful in capturing vehicle plate information of vehicles that are in violation so bus drivers can notify local law enforcement.

These laws are in place for everyone’s safety and to prevent a child from being struck. Please help us protect our children by obeying the bus laws.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.