As students are returning to school, motorists will once again see big, yellow buses on the road.

And just as students will be refreshing their reading, writing and arithmetic skills, motorists are being asked to remember some rules pertaining to school buses.

In Pennsylvania, drivers face fines — and even license suspensions — if they fail to stop for a stopped school bus.

Trooper Anthony Petroski III of the Pennsylvania State Police’s Troop N barracks said police will be watching for offenders as school begins in different areas of the multi-county coverage area.

“Troopers will be proactively patrolling areas to ensure school bus stop safety and enforce any violations that occur,” Petroski said.

Under the law, motorists must stop at least 10 feet away from school buses that have their red lights flashing and stop arms activated. They must stop when they are behind the bus, meeting the bus or approaching an intersection where a bus is stopped, the law notes.

For those who are following or traveling alongside a school bus, they must stop until the red lights have stopped flashing, the stop arm is withdrawn and all children are safe.

If physical barriers — like grassy medians, guide rails or concrete median barriers — separate oncoming traffic from the bus, motorists in the opposing lanes may proceed without stopping.

“Anytime a trooper observes a school bus violation, a traffic stop will occur and a citation will be issued,” Petroski warned. “When troopers investigate a complaint of a vehicle who overtook a school bus, if the driver is positively identified, they will be charged accordingly.”

Violators face a $250 fine and a $35 surcharge, the latter of which is deposited into the School Bus Safety Grant Program Account to promote and increase school bus safety, education and training.

They also face 5 points on their driving record and a 60-day license suspension.

Petroski encouraged motorists to be sensible and alert.

“With school starting up again, drivers she be aware and if need be, plan ahead and leave earlier in the morning for work,” he said. “Any driver that commits a school bus violation, putting children in danger, will face appropriate traffic citations. Maintain eyes on the road at all time to ensure safety for children around school bus stops.”