DPS: Watch for students heading back to school

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — State safety officials are urging drivers to watch for students heading back to school this week in Minnesota where school buses make at least 10,000 trips each day.

The Department of Public Safety says last year in Minnesota, there were 615 bus crashes that resulted in 1 death and 214 injuries. In the last five years, crashes involving school buses resulted in 21 traffic deaths, including three children who were outside a bus and hit by other vehicles.

State law requires drivers behind or approaching a school bus to stop at least 20 feet away while it's displaying red flashing lights or its stop arm is extended.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.