Photo of the lights on a school bus. (credit: Larry W. Smith/Getty Images)

ARLINGTON (CBSDFW.COM) – An Arlington police officer traded in his motorcycle for a school bus Tuesday morning to look for drivers breaking the law.

The policeman, participating in the “Officer on the Bus” event, rode alongside Bailey Junior High students, and watched drivers who illegally passed the bus while it was stopped and had its flashing lights on. The Arlington Police Department says even though it was a short route, motorcycle officers handed out more than a dozen tickets at $425 each. In 20 minutes, ten drivers were ticketed for passing the bus, and three more for breaking other traffic laws.

Texas state law requires that drivers traveling in both directions stop, when a school bus displays its stop sign and flashing lights. If a bus stops on a street with a raised concrete median, only drivers on the same side of the street are required to stop.

Officials with APD and the Arlington Independent School District say this is the first time for an “Officer on the Bus” event.  It was such a success, they say they may do it again very soon.