Do you know the law when it comes to approaching a school bus???

According to the Drivers Handbook for Kansas this is the law:

“You must stop when meeting or over taking a school bus, church bus or day care bus that is stopped to pick up or drop off children. You must remain stopped until the STOP signal is retracted and the red lights are turned off. Traffic approaching a school bus in the opposing roadway of a divided highway is not required to stop.” K.S.A. 8-1556

Over the past few months there have been many reports across the country of children being injured or killed while getting on and off the school bus. This is not acceptable. This issue is personal for me. I live on 9th Street, which has one South bound lane, one North bound lane and one middle turn lane. Therefore, as the above law states, you must stop while the lights are flashing and the stop signal is displayed as children are getting on and off the bus. My 4 year old grandson gets in and off at my home. I walk him to and from the bus and I do not walk away from the bus until it pulls a way. Out of 2 of the 4 days he goes to school, there is at least one vehicle, if not more, that are heading north and DO NOT STOP. I have contacted the Salina Police Department and they understand my concern. They have said that they will attempt to have a patrol officer in my area during the times the school bus is there. I am grateful for this but what else can we do to insure the safety of our children or grandchildren? Should the penalty for illegally passing a stopped school bus be stronger?

Lori Trow
Salina