As summer comes to a close and schools open their doors for the new school year, the La Crosse Police Department would like to ask that all motorists be more vigilant for people walking and riding bikes to school, including the university areas. Motor vehicles shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian that has started to cross in a crosswalk. This can be found under WI State Statute 346.23.
We are also asking that drivers pay close attention to our School Crossing Guards who will be out before and after school helping children to safely cross streets at the following intersections:
- 7th St. & Johnson St.
- 21st St. & Main St.
- 2100 Campbell Rd.
- Gillette St & Kane St.
- George St. & Gillette St.
- Losey Blvd. N. & Crowley St.
Motorists should also familiarize themselves with driver responsibility around school buses. Drivers must stop on the street or highway 20 feet or more from any school bus that has stopped and is flashing red warning lights. This case can be found under WI State Statute 346.48(1).
- This applies both to vehicles approaching from the rear and from the opposing lanes.
- All lanes of traffic must stop for the school bus, except in opposing lanes if the highway is divided with a center median.
- No vehicle may proceed until the bus resumes motion and has turned off the red warning lights.
Motorists should observe school buses carefully for either the “pass cautiously” yellow light signal or the required full stop when a bus is flashing red lights. Remember, most local public schools will be starting September 5th.
La Crosse PD Newsroom 