TGSO IS INCREASING PATROLS TO STOP ILLEGAL PASSING OF SCHOOL BUSES WITH RED LIGHTS ACTIVATED
The Tom Green County Sheriff's Office (TGSO) is announcing an increased enforcement effort targeting motorists who illegally pass stopped school buses displaying flashing red lights.
Each school day, children across Tom Green County rely on school buses as one of the safest forms of transportation. However, when drivers disregard bus stop laws, they place students at serious risk while they are boarding or exiting the bus and crossing roadways.
Beginning immediately, TGSO deputies will be conducting enhanced traffic patrols throughout the county during morning and afternoon school transportation hours. Deputies will focus specifically on identifying and enforcing violations involving motorists who fail to stop for school buses displaying flashing red lights.
Under Texas Transportation Code §545.066, drivers approaching a stopped school bus from either direction are required to stop when the bus is operating its visual signals, including flashing red lights. Drivers may only proceed once the bus resumes motion, the driver is signaled by the bus operator to proceed, or the visual signals are no longer activated.
The law applies to traffic traveling in both directions unless the roadway is separated by a physical median barrier or divided highway as defined by Texas law.
Violations of Texas Transportation Code §545.066 can result in significant fines and penalties. More importantly, illegally passing a stopped school bus creates an immediate and serious danger to children entering or exiting the bus.
"Our priority is protecting the safety of our children," said Sheriff Nick Hanna. "A few seconds of impatience can result in lifelong consequences for families and our community. We want motorists to slow down, stay alert, and remember that every school bus stop represents children who deserve to get to and from school safely."
The Sheriff's Office encourages parents, school officials, and community members to help spread awareness about school bus safety and to remind all drivers in their households about these important laws.
Motorists are urged to remain vigilant, reduce speed in school zones and residential areas, and always stop when a school bus displays flashing red lights.
