Kansas police ride the school bus

OLATHE, Kan. — Local police officers last week rode along with children in school buses in an effort to catch stop-arm runners.

The program, held during School Bus Safety Week, had deputies riding 20 routes in three school districts: De Soto, Gardner-Edgerton and Blue Valley.

The deputies cited three drivers — two for passing a school bus while its stop arm was extended and one for following a school bus too closely.

Officials at the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office were pleased with the low incident rate.

“All in all, most motorists are respectful of school buses and understand the dangers,” Lieutenant Richard Newson said. “We are satisfied in only having to write three tickets. It just proves that most motorists are following the law and keeping our children safe.”