A multi-lane highway or multi-lane private road is defined as a highway or private road that consists of four lanes, having at least two traffic lanes in each direction. School buses are designed so that theyre highly visible and include safety features such as flashing red lights, cross-view mirrors and stop-sign arms. Learn more in the Arkansas driver handbook. Learn more in the Minnesota drivers manual. One of the many issues facing school bus laws (and many other driving laws) is that each state has their own rules. You are not alone. Yellow flashing lights indicate that the bus is preparing to load or unload children. This requirement applies not only on public highways but also on private roads and in parking lots. When the operator of a motor vehicle approaches a school bus on which the red signal lights are flashing, the operator shall bring the vehicle to a complete stop not closer than fifteen feet from the school bus and shall remain stopped until the flashing red signal lights are extinguished. However, children are more at risk when approaching or leaving a school bus. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE The only time it's okay to pass a bus with red lights flashing is if you're going the opposite direction on a separated roadway. The rules posted on this page is accurate for MOST states, but obviously not all as you have pointed out. After the school bus red lights have stopped flashing and the stop arm is no longer visible, watch for children along the side of the road and do not proceed until it is safe, after they have completely left the roadway. When a school bus is stopped and flashing its lights, traffic from either direction must stop on two-lane roads, multi-lane highways and even on divided highways. Any two-lane roadway, in rural areas and within city limits. On all highways, streets, parking lots, private roads or driveways, traffic in both directions must stop before reaching a school bus that has its red lights flashing which is receiving or discharging students. The penalty for failing to stop for a stopped school bus may not be waived, reduced, or suspended. You must proceed with caution and watch for children by the side of the road. School bus laws vary from state to state. " (1) The driver of a vehicle overtaking or meeting a school bus which has stopped and is displaying 2 alternately flashing red lights located at the same level shall bring the vehicle to a full stop not less than 20 feet from the school bus and shall not . Learn more in the Nevada drivers handbook here. The vehicles shall remain stopped until stop sign is retracted and the red lights are discontinued after which they may proceed with due caution. After the bus has stopped, the driver will activate the alternately flashing red warning lights. Once the red warning lights have been activated you must stop your vehicle. They will also face a mandatory suspension of three months. When a school bus stops, all motorists traveling behind or approaching the bus must stop their vehicles at least 25 feet away. You can be charged with a misdemeanor if you violate either of these laws. School pupil transport vehicles, like vans, station wagons, or family sedans, have flashing red lights and SCHOOL BUS signs on top. Yellow Lights School buses have two overhead alternately flashing yellow lights both front and rear. Six (6) points assessed against driving record. Buses typically travel at lower rates of speed and make frequent stops. I proceeded forward carefully thinking the bus had stopped because of some mechanical problem. School buses are equipped with yellow and red lights that flash alternately to warn drivers that they are stopping to load or unload students. Vehicles traveling in the opposite direction are not legally required to stop. In almost all states, it is law to stop for a stopped child carrying bus whether you are approaching or are behind the bus on a non-divided roadway. Four Lane Roadway Without A Median: When a school bus stops for passengers, all traffic from both directions must stop. The school bus stop signal arm will be extended after the school bus has come to a complete stop. Before a school bus stops to load or discharge passengers, the driver will usually flash yellow warning lights. Be mindful that school buses drive at a slower speed than regular traffic. The amber warning lights will stay on until the bus door opens. Learn more in the North Carolina driving handbook. The biggest threat to children who ride a bus to school is not the bus ride, but approaching or leaving the bus. Yellow (or amber) lights still means caution. Your email address will not be published. When a school bus is equipped with yellow caution lights, these lights may be used as a warning that the school bus is about to stop and that the red fl lights will soon come on. You should stop at least 20 feet (6 m) away from the bus. As I passed, the stop sign begin to extend, likely meaning the red lights started flashing. It is illegal to pass a school bus from behind when yellow lights are flashing. Always use great care when approaching a stopped or slow-moving school bus. When you stop for a school bus, you cannot drive again until the red lights stop flashing or when the bus driver or a traffic officer signals the you can proceed. Why didnt the bus driver have on flashers or stop sign if he IS stopped to avoid confusing drivers. Answer (1 of 10): The flashing yellow lights warn that the bus is about to stop for a pick up or drop off. In the following pictures, the red vehicles must stop and remain stopped until all children are clear of the roadway and the bus moves again. Learn more in the Tennessee drivers license manual. As well as the upper alternating red flashing lights, school buses use a stop sign arm on the driver's side of the bus. A conviction for passing a stopped school bus with flashing lights and the stop arm extended will result in the suspension of an individuals drivers license. A requirement to come to an immediate stop at this point is, however, not the general rule. Overtaking and passing school buses. Do not pass a school bus unless the driver signals you to do so. Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate the bus has stopped and children are getting on or off. You are required to stop for school buses that are loading or unloading students. Oncoming traffic and motorists approaching the bus from behind may not move until the stop arm is retracted and the red lights are no longer flashing. Aug 14, 2013 at 1:37 pm. Red flashing lights mean the bus has stopped and children are getting on or off. 3. Plus there's a shortage of them, so some of them are even less qualified when it comes to handling the flashing lights. Whenever a school bus is stopped on a highway with alternating red signal lamps flashing, the driver of any motor vehicle on the same highway in the lane occupied by the school bus and all lanes adjacent to the lane occupied by the school bus shall stop the drivers vehicle before reaching the school bus and shall not proceed until the school bus resumes motion or the flashing red signal lamps are turned off. Always be alert for students on or near the roadway when a school bus is stopped. The following are situations when you do not have to stop: When you are traveling the opposite direction of a school bus on a highway divided by a median where the vehicles traveling one direction are on a totally separate road from the vehicles traveling the opposite direction; After stopping for a school bus that is unloading school children, watch for school children walking along the side of the road. Watch for children crossing the road in front of, or behind the school bus. The signal will change soon. However, if the owner or lessee of the vehicle can prove that another person was driving the vehicle at the time of the stop arm violation, the driver not the owner or lessee will be charged with the violation. Always be careful around school buses and school bus stops. The Legislature has specified convincingly steep mandatory penalties for violating these provisions: A $250 fine, five points on your license, and most painful of all, a 60-day suspension. School buses are required to stop at all railroad crossings. The school bus driver activates flashing yellow lights to indicate the school bus is preparing to stop to load or unload students. I think the present arrangement can cause nearby drivers to not realized the bus is actually stopping or being required to be stopped at the moment the service door is opened for a rider. Drive slowly until you have passed them. A driver of a vehicle need not stop upon meeting a stopped school bus when traveling in the opposite direction on a multi-lane highway or multi-lane private road. You may not proceed until the bus resumes motion, or signaled by the school bus driver to proceed or the visual signals are no longer actuated. Two Lane Roadway With A Center Turning Lane: When a school bus stops for passengers, all traffic from both directions must stop. Red lights mean the bus is stopped and children are getting on or off. For a first offense, violators of this law will face a mandatory fine of at least $150. Passing on either side of the school bus can lead to a fine anywhere from $500 to $1250 or more in Texas. Learn more in the West Virginia drivers license handbook. If you see flashing yellow lights, that means the school bus is about to stop. The only exception to this law is if a school bus has stopped on the other side of a divided You must also stop if the bus is loading or unloading passengers and the signals are not on. Never pass from any direction when the red lights are on. Ahead of the new school year, visit the bus stop and show your child where to wait for the bus at least three giant steps (six feet) away from the curb. Points: Improper passing of a school bus in NJ is a 5-point offense. In addition, there is a possibility of waiting for children darting in front of traffic. Keep in mind that the bus is about to stop and children may be in the road. A turn lane in the middle of a four-lane highway is NOT considered a barrier, but a fifth lane that is suitable for vehicular traffic. Be especially alert every time you see a school bus. No it's not ok. Just as technically it's not ok to move through an intersection on yellow either. Hi, I passed a school bus with blinking yellow lights while traveling the speed limit - 40 mph. 1992, c. 159; 1997, c. 65. Drivers will then activate their red lights, which signals to any. State law requires a motorist to stop at least 25 feet away if he/she is traveling on a two-lane road or on a multi-lane highway where lanes are only separated by lines, or on a privately maintained road. For instance, if you're facing the bus and they have yellow lights on, you can drive by, or if its a 4 lane and they have yellow on, you don't have to stop, you can pass.