How to Share the Road With School Buses

Every morning and afternoon school buses are found throughout every city. It's important to know the laws in regards to school buses. They make frequent stops and drivers are required to remain at a stop as well. Fines are heavy for violations.

• Due to laws, drivers must stop for buses with flashing lights that are unloading or loading children.


• Should a school bus be stopped with flashing lights, drivers behind the bus must stop until the bus turns off the flashing lights. This applies to oncoming traffic as well.


• Most states do not require drivers to stop when on the opposite side of a dividing highway.


• Police offers and bus drivers have the authority to wave drivers on through whether their lights are flashing or not.


• Buses are required to come to a complete stop at railroad crossings. Be prepared for this.


• Maintain an adequate distance between you and the school bus at all times. They do make frequent stops.


• Yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is fixing to stop.


• Red flashing lights indicate the bus has stopped completely.

When in doubt, it's always best to remain behind the school bus until they retract their stop sign and stop flashing their lights. Most states charge very high fines fines for drivers that don't stop for buses. To avoid these, follow all bus safety rules. If you have any questions, contact your local school board for the most updated rules and regulations about bus safety.