School is back in session and drivers should watch for students walking to school and school buses stopping. Last year in Washington County three drivers were charged with failure to stop for school bus, while in 2012 13 drivers faced the same charge in Washington County. Across Iowa, last year, 733 motorists were charged with failure to stop for a school bus.

In 2012, Governor Terry Branstad signed into law the “Keep Aware Driving — Youth Need School Safety Act,” which is also known as Kadyn’s Law. Seven-year-old Kadyn Halverson of Northwood was hit by a pickup truck while trying to cross the road to board her school bus. Under Kadyn’s Law, first offenses for unlawful passing of a school bus is a simple misdemeanor with a ticket of at least $250 and a 30-day suspension by the Iowa Department of Transportation. For subsequent offenses and penalties click here.