This is National School Bus Safety Week and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety is taking the opportunity to remind drivers to stop when school buses have their red lights flashing and stop arms extended.

The reminder comes as law enforcement reported a 65 percent increase in the number of motorists ignoring that advice, and in turn, breaking the law.

A one-day study in April revealed that 613 motorists failed to yield for stop arms, up from 371 the year before and 530 in 2013. The surveyed 3,570 bus drivers from 110 companies throughout the state to compile the results.

The bottom line, the DPS says, is that children are increasingly being put at risk as they enter and exit school buses stopped on roadways to load and unload.

The dangers of not stopping for school buses were featured in a video that went viral. In May 2014, a semi trailer truck driver roared by a school bus that had stopped to pick up a sixth grader on Hwy. 23 in Kandiyohi County. The driver, Allen H. Morris, 48, of Apple Valley, was charged with violating two statutes on May 30 that called for him to obey the flashing bus lights and extended "stop" arm.

As a reminder, here are the rules when interacting with a school bus:

In Minnesota, the law requires drivers to stop for a school bus when lights are flashing and the stop arm is displayed. Traffic in both directions is required to stop, unless the road is separated by a center median. Motorists are encouraged to:

  • Be aware and alert for school buses.
  • When driving behind or approaching school buses, be prepared to stop for flashing lights and stop arms.
  • Watch for children even after the flashing lights are turned off and the stop arm is retracted