STURGEON BAY, Wis. — Police officers here have been dispatched to an increased number of illegal school bus passing incidents in the past few weeks, authorities said.

The Sturgeon Bay Police Department took the opportunity to urge motorists to do their part in keeping school bus riders safe.

"When you see the stop sign come out and the lights activated on a school bus, you are required by state law to stop at least 20 feet from the bus in all directions unless on a highway that is divided," the department said in an announcement. "You are not to proceed until the bus resumes motion and has turned off its red warning lights."

A vehicle owner or driver can be cited for failing to stop for a school bus, with penalties of $326.50 and four demerit points. An officer does not need to witness the violation if the school bus driver reports it to the law enforcement agency within 24 hours.

"Law enforcement understands fines can be quite high for illegally passing a school bus," the Sturgeon Bay department noted, "but the risk of hitting a child is even higher."