(KNZA)--With school beginning this week, Brown County Sheriff John Merchant is reminding motorists to pay close attention to school buses and never pass when the bus lights are flashing or the stop arm is extended.

Merchant says trying to save a few seconds by passing a stopped school bus is not worth risking the life of a child.

A Kansas survey last year found 882 violations of school bus stop-arm laws in just one day, involving nearly 2,700 buses from 184 school districts.

Kansas motorists are required to stop when a school bus has its lights flashing and stop arm extended. Violators can face fines and court costs of more than 420 dollars.

Merchant is urging drivers to slow down, stay alert and give school buses extra attention as children head back to school.

He says motorists should take a few extra seconds to make sure children get to and from school safely.