DELAWARE — They're big and bright yellow. And when school buses stop with their precious cargo and flashing lights, the law says motorists must do the same.

Yet not all in Delaware County are obeying.

Last year, police recorded about 100 complaints, four or five per week, from bus drivers and others about motorists disobeying the law requiring them to stop, said Lt. Marcus Pirrone, of the Delaware post of the State Highway Patrol.

While there have been few if any serious injuries related to cars hitting kids when entering or leaving buses, Pirrone said, "We're not going to wait until we have a student struck or killed."

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Tuesday and Wednesday, officers will be riding in buses, watching for offenders. When one is spotted, the bus officers will relay the location to officers in cruisers who will stop and ticket them.

The offense is a first-degree misdemeanor with some judges imposing up to a 30-day suspension of driving privileges.

Offenders are often distracted, but many are simply impatient, said Delaware Police Chief Bruce Pijanowski.

"They get too busy. They get in a rush."

Pijanowski advises: "Put away the distractions. Slow down. The time you're going to save is not going to make or break your day."

dnarciso@dispatch.com

@DeanNarciso