RIO HONDO – Whether it’s in the morning when children are being picked up or in the evening when they’re being dropped off, Rio Hondo police say it's an issue which happens whenever the buses are out; cars passing buses when their red lights are activated.

"It's dangerous because of the kids," said Bricio Duran a Rio Hondo resident.

Duran sees incidents like this all too often.

"People need to stop when the buses stop, it provides protection for the kids riding the bus," said Duran.

With school back in session, more reports of vehicles passing stopped buses are coming in.

"We'll either get a call or a flag down, most the time I get the complaints in person," said Rio Hondo Police Chief William Bilokury.

Right now, he says their goal is to protect these kids going to and from school.

"Some people, unfortunately, don't take it serious when the school buses are out here," said Bilokury.

Passing by a school bus with its stop sign out can lead to some hefty consequences such as fines and jail time.

Bilokury said they just want people to be aware of the potential dangers doing something like this can cause.

"'I'm a father, I'm a grandfather and God forbid something happens to my children," said Bilokury.

With more eyes watching these buses, Duran says he can rest easy knowing the kids will be safe.

In Texas law, if a road is divided only by a left-turning lane, drivers on both sides of the roadway must stop for school buses with alternating red flashing lights activated.

If the lanes are separated by a physical barrier, only motorists going in the same direction as the bus are required to stop.