(LaPorte County, IN) - With schools back in session, traffic safety is a major concern for parents and law enforcement.

County Sheriff Chief Deputy Ron Heeg says drivers need to be aware of increased school traffic. With students learning from home and following hybrid schedules last year, a return to one hundred percent means busier school zones and bus stops.

Heeg says officers are paying special attention now to drivers in school zones and around busses. "We will be having deputies in the school zones and looking for anybody that's passing a school bus where the stop arms are out," he said. "And we will be citing and ticketing those drivers."

Sadly, a serious bus accident marred the beginning of school for one small Hoosier community. Unfortunately, a school bus crash in southern Indiana claimed a life yesterday afternoon. It happened in a little town north of Bloomington. A car driving erratically crashed head-on into a school bus carrying 12 students. Nine of them were taken to the hospital with injuries.

The driver of the car died at the scene.