FAYETTE COUNTY, Texas — The Fayette County Sheriff's Office is looking for a driver who illegally passed a school bus on State Highway 71.
The sheriff's office posted a video on Facebook Wednesday that shows a car passed a school bus on the shoulder while the bus was stopping to drop off a student at a home off the highway. The sheriff's office said the bus had its stop sign deployed and its flashing lights activated.
The sheriff's office is now investigating the incident and looking for the driver. The office also said its deputies will be conducting special traffic details following and observing school buses to watch for drivers violating the law. The deputies will be in both marked and unmarked vehicles.
"Any violators found endangering the children in our community will be stopped, cited, and charged to the fullest extent of the law," the sheriff's office said.
What is the law when it comes to passing school buses in Texas?
According to Texas law, drivers have to stop when a school bus extends its stop sign or when it turns on its flashing red lights.
When that happens, drivers in both directions must come to a complete stop on all lanes. This applies to a two-way street or a highway with a center turn lane.
Drivers cannot pass the bus until the red lights stop flashing, the school bus has started moving again or the bus driver signals they may do so.
The rule is different if a roadway has a median. In that instance, only the side of the road where the bus is has to stop and cars on the other side of the road can continue driving.