Illegal School Bus Passing in Rawlins has Increased

4/11/2025 |

Photo courtesy of the RPD

The Rawlins Police Department is reminding drivers that passing school buses while they are loading or unloading students is illegal.

On Thursday morning, the Rawlins Police Department Facebook page asked city residents to pay more attention to school buses.

Lieutenant Jared Frakes said both state and city statutes prohibit drivers from passing school buses when they’re loading or unloading students unless there is a physical barrier between the bus and the street.

Lieutenant Frakes explained that in Rawlins, school buses do not pull off the road when picking up or dropping off students. Instead, they use flashing red lights, and a deployable stop sign to warn drivers not to pass.

Lieutenant Frakes said his department has received 21 reports of drivers illegally passing school buses in the city since the start of this year. The police lieutenant said the number of violations is unusually high this year, especially given the short time school has been in session.

Lieutenant Frakes said school bus drivers have reported drivers in the city are illegally passing buses when they are loading or unloading school students throughout the city. The violations are not concentrated in any specific area.

The Rawlins Police Department has a zero-tolerance policy for drivers who pass school buses when their red lights are flashing, and the stop sign is deployed. Lieutenant Frakes explained that drivers proven to have broken the law will be cited.

Wyoming Statute 31-5-507 mandates that drivers must stop for school buses displaying flashing red lights and an extended stop sign. Failure to do so is classified as a misdemeanor crime and comes with a $450 fine.

Lieutenant Frakes said the law exists to keep students safe when they’re getting on and off school buses.

While students should be aware of their surroundings and avoid crossing in front of vehicles, Lieutenant Frakes said the primary responsibility to keep students safe lies with the drivers.

On their Facebook page, the Rawlins Police Department posted that law enforcement takes these violations seriously and has zero tolerance for putting the city’s school children at risk.