Falmouth Police Announce School Bus Crackdown

Police in Falmouth have had it. They are tired of reckless drivers putting innocent school children in danger because they are too impatient to wait for kids to safely load onto or unload off of a school bus. It's one of the most egregious violations you can commit as a drivers of a motor vehicle.

Operation BUSted Targets Drivers Ignoring School Bus Stop Laws in Falmouth

In response to the impatient drivers, Falmouth Police are launching a targeted safety effort today to protect students traveling to and from school. The operation, fittingly called Operation BUSted, focuses on drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses with their red lights flashing. It's a violation that continues to be a growing concern not only here on the SouthCoast, but across Massachusetts.

Following School Buses and Monitoring School Zones

This morning, the department’s Community Engagement Team followed school buses along their routes, watching specifically for cars failing to stop when buses pick up or drop off students. Officers also plan to run radar in school zones to enforce reduced speed limits during arrival and dismissal.

The team plans on repeating the operation again this afternoon as students head home after their day at school. If the illegal passing continues in Falmouth, we wouldn't be surprised to see even more of the crackdown next week.

Why This Crackdown Matters

It's the law! When a school bus extends its stop sign and the red lights flash, all drivers in both directions must stop. Passing a stopped school bus isn’t just illegal, it’s extremely dangerous, especially for younger, elementary students. Children crossing the road are often hard to see and may not expect a car to keep moving.

In recent years, local districts have reported increased complaints of drivers rushing through bus stops, especially during morning commutes.