Sheriff’s Office Increases Safety for School Bus Riders

January 08, 2026
Elise Schaffer, PIO, (608) 284-6142
Sheriff's Office

Before the start of the 25-26 school year, the Dane County Sheriff’s Office focused on improving the safety of children riding the school bus. The initiative included raising awareness, educating drivers about the law, and enforcing it. 
The results of these efforts were remarkable, with citations issued increasing by 460% from September 1 to December 2, 2025, compared to the same period in 2024. A key factor in this increase was improved communication between the Sheriff’s Office, school bus companies, and school district administrators. Before the enforcement efforts started, the Sheriff’s Office announced that deputies would prioritize school bus safety by holding a news conference and sharing the information on social media, including YouTube.
Drivers cited for offenses such as failure to stop or illegally passing a school bus faced fines ranging from $600 to $1300, plus a $200 school bus safety surcharge.
“One priority that unites us all is the safety of our children,” said Sheriff Kalvin Barrett. “I’m very proud of the efforts we’ve made this year to educate motorists about the importance of focusing on their driving habits when school buses and children are present. Our deputies will continue to enforce these laws because one tragedy is one too many.”
The Sheriff’s Office will keep the school bus safety program going into the spring semester. Drive carefully and report any violations you see.