ALTOONA, Pa. -- With many parents prepping to send their children back to school, PennDOT and police in Blair County are teaming up to remind drivers how important it is to be careful around school buses and bus stops.

Last year, there were 23 crashes involving school buses in the region. PennDOT said that's because drivers weren't ready to stop when the bus lights flashed. There was also a tragedy at a local bus stop. So next week, state police will be following school buses in marked and un-marked cruisers, as kids get on and off the bus, to make sure drivers are paying attention.

There's also a new addition to some buses this year, so police can double check that kids are not in harm's way. Buses for the Altoona Area School District will be equipped with cameras that will capture cars and license plates of drivers, who try to pass them when their lights are flashing.

Officials said children also need to be very careful when they're getting on and off the bus too.

Drivers who are caught passing a school bus could face up to $250 in fines and five points on their license, which means suspension.