After the Labor Day weekend, children will be boarding buses and heading back to school. The Plymouth Police Department encourages residents to observe school bus laws.

According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, 72 percent of the nation’s school bus fatalities take place outside of the bus. The two most common violations of school bus laws include failure to stop when a bus stop arm is extended and motorists passing on the right, passenger-door side of the bus while its lights are flashing.

“It’s an exciting time for children when school starts, especially for those young children who will be attending school for the first time,” said Plymouth Police Chief Mike Goldstein. “We ask that drivers take added precaution when driving throughout the community, especially when driving in school and residential areas.”

Pedestrians must also use caution when traversing near buses. The 10-foot area around the bus is known as the danger zone because the bus driver has limited visibility in the area.

The following are bus safety tips for children and parents.

• Cross the street in front of the bus while it is still stopped; never cross behind the bus.
• If a child drops something, he or she should tell the bus driver; never try to pick it up first. 
• Children should not run into the street. 
• Pedestrians should look both ways before crossing the street. 
• Pedestrians should not go between parked cars to cross the street. 
• Children should always walk with a friend or a parent and avoid talking to strangers. 
• Children should never get into a stranger’s vehicle. 
• Pedestrians should stay clear of the curb – especially during the winter months. 
• Riders should not stick anything out of the windows – including their limbs and heads.

For more information, call the Plymouth Police Department Traffic Unit at 763-509-5130.