This Web Site uses UTF-8 encoding. 2009-01-19 © 2005--2009 J. JIH, a member of the National Motorists Association in the United States Time-intervals are in ISO 8601 (n = number): PnY year(s) PnM month(s) PnD day(s) United States and Canada School bus equipment School bus stop laws Analysis Fixing the buses and laws The United States Canada Other countries
A school bus is painted National School Bus Glossy Yellow in the United States and similarly in Canada. Signs in the front and rear top center read SCHOOL BUS or AUTOBUS SCOLAIRE or ECOLIERS in French in parts of Canada. Each of its front and rear ends usually has alternately flashing lights with 2 red lamps at top corners and 2 yellow (amber) lamps near red lamps at the same level but closer to the vertical central line of the bus. It often has an octagon red stop arm on the left side.
United States: Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards: Standard 108 (S5.1.4), Standard 131 Canada: Technical Standards Document: No. 108 (S5.1.4), No. 131 Pictures: The School Bus Yard, School Bus Explorer Animation: California Motorists and School Buses
The school bus stop laws in the United States and Canada are usually based on 11-705 of the 1992 Uniform Vehicle Code (UVC) (© National Committee on Uniform Traffic Laws and Ordinances) excerpted in bold for research. An analysis explains why they are bad.
A few places, such as Pennsylvania and maybe Arkansas and Virginia, require traffic approaching from any direction to stop, maybe even from the left or right. Traffic in some places must stop for a school bus loading or unloading even if the red lights do not flash. Some places require traffic to remain stopped until the school bus resumes motion AND the red lights stop flashing, or until signalled by the school bus driver, the police, or other authorized traffic directors to move on. A few places have unusual laws upon traffic facing flashing yellow (amber) lights that mostly require traffic to use caution and prepare to stop.
Different from UVC 11-705(b), many places require red lights flashed whenever getting on or off children. Even if school bus drivers may signal traffic to proceed past flashing red lights, they may fail to exercise this authority and unnecessary block traffic.
Some places require traffic to stop for a school bus on a different roadway of a divided highway. They are Alabama and West Virginia in case of non-controlled-access highway, Arkansas in case of a divider < 20 feet (6 m) in width, and Mississippi, New York, American Samoa, Guam, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Oncoming traffic need not stop for a stopped school bus on an undivided highway with ≥ 3 lanes in Washington, 4 lanes in California, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Ohio and South Dakota, or 5 lanes in North Carolina and Utah.
American and Canadian school bus stop laws are too bad as the penalties for illegally passing stopped school buses disregard the passing speeds. Most violations of passing stopped school buses are due to bad laws and public distrust. Passing stopped school buses loading and unloading children is not always dangerous, depending on many factors. If only one child is boarding the bus directly from a sidewalk, requiring traffic to stop abuses power. Even if children may dart out, better ways than stopping traffic too much exists, as in certain other countries without American-style school bus stop laws. Children there are better educated to be more careful on the roads rather than getting false sense of safety and protection due to requiring traffic to stop for their getting on or off school buses as in the United States and Canada. The common ranks of potential dangers from passing stopped school buses are provided with the most dangerous one listed first:
1. Passing on the side that a child gets on or off a bus is the most dangerous. 2. Passing while a child crosses a road to get on or off a school bus 3. Overtaking directly next to a stopped school bus 4. Passing in the opposite direction directly next to a stopped school bus 5. Overtaking ≥ 3 m away from a stopped school bus 6. Passing in the opposite direction ≥ 3 m away from a bus is the least dangerous.
Claims that requiring traffic to stop is necessary because children may dart out even if they do not intend to cross the road are only partially true. If drivers were allowed to pass ≤ 5 km/h, very quick stops would be possible. Overuse of the flashing red lights indeed decreases public respect and give children false senses that they can get on the road as they want, and it may increase dangers due to impatient or confused drivers. Drivers may still drive faster elsewhere and cause hazards elsewhere. Unjustified flashing red lights on school buses are as bad as unjustified traffic light signals and stop signs. All of them reflect bad traffic engineering.
Stopping traffic for stopped school buses on highways with ≥ 3 lanes, dividers, or fast speed is rarely justified. Requiring traffic to stop on a divided highway for a school bus stopped on a different roadway is confusing and dangerous for the traffic. On an undivided highway with ≥ 5, 4 or 3 lanes, requiring oncoming traffic to stop may also be confusing and dangerous, and loading or unloading children in a way that they must cross such the road is usually possible at a controlled crosswalk or even avoidable. In addition, if a 2-way road has ≥ 3 lanes in the same direction, requiring traffic overtaking a school bus to stop may not be justified. On a fast road, requiring traffic to stop may be dangerous and loading or unloading thereon should be planned carefully so children need not cross the road or are able to cross at a controlled crosswalk. A suggestion is to plan school bus routes and stops carefully to prevent children from having to cross wide roads and to avoid stopping other traffic on wide or fast roads, unless a controlled crosswalk already exists.
Drivers passing stopped school buses are not always reckless or aggressive. Stopping may be even more dangerous on fast roads. If the road is wide, drivers may not expect a stopped school bus. The worst places require traffic to stop for a school bus stopped on a different roadway on a divided highway. Many drivers who have passed stopped school buses illegally may have indeed acted in a very careful way. It is frequently the fault of the law or the location of the school bus stop, but not the fault of drivers.
Heavy penalties cannot deter traffic from passing stopped school buses illegally if the law is badly written. Bad laws cannot promote voluntary compliance. As long as the law remains bad, even imprisonment, license suspension and revocation, and misdemeanor charges cannot effectively deter traffic from passing stopped school buses illegally. Bad laws violate civil rights. Passing stopped school buses illegally is mostly due to bad laws.
Charging a vehicle owner with the violation does not deter traffic from passing stopped school buses illegally. This bad practice is traffic injustice and may instead promote false reports and police power abuse to issue citations. It harasses innocent vehicle owners. Most American and Canadian drivers are also owners of vehicles, but it is not always true. The vehicle owner is in disadvantage without sufficient knowledge of the incident that might happen long time ago, and so is a driver known to the vehicle owner.
American and Canadian school buses are safe to transport schoolchildren, but making them even safer remains necessary. As the school bus stop laws have major flaws, school buses should also be fixed.
Child crossing control arms are used on the front right corners of some school buses to keep children away from the front of the buses, but adding them on both front corners of a school bus should be considered. Child crossing control arms on either or both corners should be obtuse-angled from the bumper. A 3 m long arm 100° from the bumper extends to the left or right by 0.521 m and to the front by 2.954 m. A 4 m long arm 135° from the bumper that extends to the left, right or front by 2.828 m should physically prevent traffic from passing stopped school bus too closely in the danger zone around a school bus usually with a width of 3 m. It should be able to allow traffic to pass at 5 km/h with better view to the front of the bus. In addition, a vehicle passing control gate similar to a road-railway crossing gate may be added on the corners of the rear end to deter meeting traffic from passing too closely in opposite direction.
All child crossing control arms and vehicle passing control gates should have yellow or red revolving lights at the middle and end of them to improve visibility. Once child crossing control arms and vehicle passing control gates are present, they should be extended to the front or left or right side whenever they are not obstructed and a child gets on or off, whether the red lights may or must flash or not. The arm away from the edge of the road (left side in right-hand traffic and vice versa) may prevent children from darting out to the road too close to the school bus, in case they cross the road unexpectedly. Before school buses move on, all child crossing control arms and vehicle passing control gates are to be retracted.
Retrofitting child crossing control arms, vehicle passing control gates and any missing flashing yellow or red lights and stop arms to existing school buses should cost much less than injury or death of children. Any fines for passing stopped school buses and insurance incentives should be used to retrofit new equipment.
Current school bus stop laws must also be fixed. People, especially voters, should tell legislators why current school bus stop laws are too bad so they need changes. Fight all summonses for passing stopped school buses by pleading not guilty. The Uniform Vehicle Code (UVC) should be revised in the following ways or the like. Places should also amend their laws similarly, or they will remain the very bad traffic laws.
UVC 12-222 should require at least new school buses to be equipped with child crossing control arms and vehicle passing control gates described above.
UVC 11-705(a) should change that a driver of a vehicle may pass stopped school bus at 5 km/h when yielding to any schoolchildren crossing the road to and from such a bus and ascertaining the way being clear, or when signaled by the school bus driver, the police officer, or other authorized traffic directors to move on.
UVC 11-705(b) should require school bus drivers not to hold up traffic unnecessarily, but they should signal traffic to proceed whenever feasible. They should have red flags to signal traffic. When passing traffic is limited to 5 km/h, stopping it fast is possible.
UVC 11-705(c) should exempt a driver of a vehicle from stopping upon meeting a school bus upon an undivided highway with ≥ 5, 4, or 3 lanes.
New summonses for illegally passing stopped school bus should show how fast a vehicle passed and the normal speed limit of the road. Missing the information should dismiss the summonses. Penalties for illegally passing stopped school bus should consider the following index regarding how fast a vehicle passed to know bad a violation is, along with whether the illegal passing was truly intended and the type of the road:
Passing speed in km/h (miles per hour)
Badness index (double speed quadruples the index)
5 (3)
0 (to be legalized when preparing to stop)
10 (6)
1 or let off with a warning
15 (9)
2.25
20 (12)
4
25 (15)
6.25
30 (19)
9
35 (22)
12.25
40 (25)
16
45 (28)
20.25
50 (31)
25
55 (34)
30.25
60 (37)
36
65 (40)
42.25
70 (43)
49
75 (47)
56.25
80 (50)
64
85 (53)
72.25
90 (56)
81
95 (59)
90.25
Legislation: § = section, ¶ = paragraph National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: School Bus Safety Child Transportation Safety Tip #10 The National Safety Council: School Bus Safety Rules
| ISO 3166-2 and 50 states | Stopping for school bus | Flashing red lamps on school bus | Stops exempted | Penalties for illegally passing stopped school bus with fines in the United States dollars (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US-AL Alabama | Code of Alabama §32-5A-154(a) In addition to UVC 11-705(a), a vehicle driver must also stop for a stopped church bus using a visual signal as specified in §32-5A-155. The school or church bus driver may signal traffic to proceed. | (b) A school bus driver must flash red lights whenever but only whenever getting on or off school children.
(c) A church bus must be so marked and may be equipped with school bus type flashing red lights that must flash whenever but only whenever getting on or off passengers. |
(d) Same as UVC 11-705(c) but applicable upon a controlled-access highway only. The exemption from stopping for a stopped church bus applies similarly with respect to a stopped school bus. | §32-5A-8(a)~(b) Misdemeanor: fine ≤ 100 or imprison ≤ P10D; 2nd offense within P1Y: fine ≤ 200 and/or imprison ≤ P30D; ≥ 3rd offense within P1Y: fine ≤ 500 and/or imprison ≤ P3M
Alabama Administrative Code 760-X-1-.07(1)(e) 5 points for passing stopped school bus |
| US-AK Alaska | 13 AAC (Alaska Administrative Code) 02.325(e) The speed limit passing a school bus flashing yellow lights as provided in 13 AAC 04.097(b) is 20 miles per hour (32 km/h).
AS (Alaska Statutes) §28.35.145(a) Same as UVC 11-705(a) but a vehicle driver approaching from any direction a school bus stopped on a highway or vehicular way or area must stop ≥ 30 feet (9 m) and not proceed until the school bus proceeds and the red lights no longer flash. |
13 AAC 04.097(a) Red lights must flash when but only when getting on or off school children, but they may not flash in (1) a designated school bus loading or unloading area where the bus is entirely off the roadway and a child getting on or off the bus is not required to cross the roadway; or (2) an intersection or other place where traffic is controlled by a traffic-control signal or by a police officer. | AS §28.35.145(c) Same as UVC 11-705(c) | AS §28.35.145(d) Class B misdemeanor and 6 points under AS §§28.15.221 - 28.15.261
(e) A vehicle owner may be charged with the violation as an infraction. 13 AAC 08.210(9) 6 points |
| US-AZ Arizona | Arizona Revised Statutes §28-857(A) Same as UVC 11-705(a) | (C) A school bus driver must display the stop arm and alternately flashing lights if passengers get on or off the bus stopped on the roadway. | (D)~(E) Same as UVC 11-705(c) but a lane or group of lanes on either side of a 2-way left turn lane is not considered a separate roadway | §28-857(F) Class 3 misdemeanor; 2nd conviction within P1Y: class 2 misdemeanor; ≥ 3rd conviction within P1Y after the last conviction: class 1 misdemeanor
(G) Possibly suspend license for ≤ P6M for ≥ 2nd conviction §13-707(A) Imprison ≤ (1) Class 1: P6M (2) Class 2: P4M (3) Class 3: P30D §13-802 Fine ≤ (A) Class 1: 2500 (B) Class 2: 750 (C) Class 3: 500 Arizona Administrative Code R17-4-404: 2 points |
| US-AR Arkansas | Arkansas Code §27-51-1004(a) Every operator of a motor vehicle or motorcycle approaching from any direction a stopped school bus flashing red lights must stop fully before proceeding in any direction.
(b) If the school bus is getting on or off passengers, a motor vehicle or motorcycle operator may not start up or attempt to pass in any direction until the school bus has finished getting on or off its passengers and is in motion again. |
§27-51-1002(c)(1)(B) Flasher lights must be used at all times when loading or discharging school children but at no other time. | §§27-51-1005, 27-51-1104(b) A vehicle driver approaching a school bus or church bus on the opposite side of a parkway or dividing strip of ≥ 20 feet (6 m) in width on multiple lane highways need not stop. | §27-51-1001(a)(1)(A)(i) Misdemeanor: fine 35 ~ 500 and/or imprison ≤ P90D
(a)(1)(A)(ii) Possibly community service ≤ P7D and suspend license for P90D ~ P6M (a)(1)(B) A vehicle owner may be charged with the violation. |
| §27-51-1104(a) Every motor vehicle or motorcycle operator approaching from any direction any stopped church bus (§27-51-1101) flashing lights to load or unload passengers must stop fully and not start up or attempt to pass in any direction until the bus has finished getting on or off its passengers. | ? | §27-51-1102(a)~(b) Misdemeanor: fine 35 ~ 500 and/or imprison ≤ P90D | ||
| US-CA California | California Vehicle Code §22454(a),(d) Same as UVC 11-705(a) and also applies to a roadway upon private property | §22112 Red lights must flash when loading or unloading pupils, but not at any place where traffic is controlled by a traffic officer. More exemptions exist. Check law. | §22454(b)(1)~(2) A vehicle driver on a divided highway or multiple-lane highway need not stop upon meeting or passing a schoolbus on the other roadway. A multiple-lane highway is any highway that has ≥ 2 lanes of travel in each direction. | §12810(e) 1 point
§22454.5 Fine 150 ~ 250; 2nd violation: fine 500 ~ 1000; ≥ 3rd violation within P3Y: suspend license for P1Y |
| US-CO Colorado | Colorado Revised Statutes §42-4-1903(1)(a) Same as to UVC 11-705(a) | (1)(a) In the case of small passenger-type vehicles operated as school buses having a seating capacity of ≤ 15, no visual signal lights specified in subsection (2) need be displayed or actuated.
(2)(b)(I) The red lights must flash whenever the school bus is stopped to get on or off schoolchildren, is stopped behind another school bus that is getting on or off passengers, or, except as provided in subsection (4), is stopped because it has met a school bus traveling in a different direction that is getting on or off passengers and at no other time; but such lights need not flash when a school bus is stopped where the local traffic regulatory authority has by prior written designation declared such actuation unnecessary. (II) A school bus shall be exempt from subparagraph (I) when discharging or loading passengers who require the assistance of a lift device only when no passenger must cross the roadway. |
(4) Same as UVC 11-705(c) less exemption in a loading zone on a controlled-access highway. For the purposes of this section, "highway with separate roadways" means a highway that is divided into ≥ 2 roadways by a depressed, raised, or painted median or other intervening space serving as a clearly indicated dividing section or island. | §42-2-127(5)(g) 6 points
§42-4-1903(6)(a)~(b),§42-4-1701(3)(a)(II)(A) Class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense: fine 10 ~ 300 and/or imprison P10D ~ P90D; Class 1 misdemeanor traffic offense within P5Y of a previous conviction: fine 100 ~ 1000 and/or imprison P10D ~ P1Y |
| US-CT Connecticut | Connecticut General Statutes §14-279(a) In addition to UVC 11-705(a), a vehicle operator must stop ≥ 10 feet (3 m) from a school bus flashing red lights on any highway or private road or in any parking area or on any school property, except at the specific direction of a traffic officer. At the intersection of ≥ 2 highways vehicular turns toward a school bus getting on or off passengers are prohibited. | §14-277 Flashing red lights and the stop semaphore must be used to get on or off passengers. | §14-279(a) Same as UVC 11-705(c) less exemption in a loading zone on a controlled-access highway | §14-279(b) Fine 100 ~ 500; ≥ 2nd offense: fine 500 ~ 1000 and/or imprison ≤ P30D
Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies §14-137a-5(d)(3) 4 points |
| US-DE Delaware | Delaware Code Title 21, §4166(d)(1) Same as UVC 11-705(a) | (b)(3) The red lamps shall flash only when the bus is stopped on the shoulder or roadway to pick up and discharge pupils.
(4) The amber and/or the red lamps shall not flash: a. In designated school bus loading zones; b. At intersections or other places where traffic is controlled by traffic-control signals or police officers; c. When the bus is not being used as a school bus, but the amber and/or red lamps may be used any time the bus is transporting children ≤ age of 18. |
(d)(1) On roadway(s) with ≥ 4 lanes, the driver approaching from the front shall not stop. | (g) A vehicle owner may be charged with the violation.
(i) Fine 115 ~ 230 and/or imprison P30D ~ P60D; 2nd offense within P3Y: fine 115 ~ 575 and imprison P60D ~ P6M (j) Suspend license for P1M ~ P1Y |
| US-FL Florida | Florida Statutes §316.172(1)(a) Same as UVC 11-705(a) | (3) A school bus must display warning lights and stop signals as required by rules of the State Board of Education before discharging or loading passengers. | (2) A vehicle driver upon a divided highway with an unpaved space of ≥ 5 feet (1.5 m), a raised median, or a physical barrier need not stop when traveling in the opposite direction of a stopped school bus. | §318.18(5) Fine ≥ 100, and for ≥ 2nd offense within P5Y, suspend license for P90D ~ P6M. Passing on the side that children enter and exit: fine ≥ 200, and for ≥ 2nd offense within P5Y, license suspension of P180D ~ P1Y
§322.27(3)(d)(4) 4 points |
| US-GA Georgia | Georgia Code §40-6-163(a) Same as UVC 11-705(a) | §40-6-162 Red lights required by §§40-8-111 and 40-8-115 must flash whenever, but only whenever, the school bus is stopped on the highway to get on or off school children, but not: (1) At intersections or other places where traffic is controlled by traffic-control signals or police officers; or (2) In designated school bus loading areas where the bus is entirely off the roadway. | §40-6-163(b) Same as UVC 11-705(c) | §40-5-57(c)(1)(A) 6 points
§§40-6-1, 17-10-3(a)(1) Misdemeanor: fine ≤ 1000 and/or imprison ≤ P12M |
| US-HI Hawaii | Hawaii Revised Statutes §291C-95(a) Same as UVC 11-705(a) but a motor vehicle driver must stop ≥ 20 feet (6 m) away from a stopped school bus on a highway or road in a residential area only | (c) A school bus driver must flash red lights described in subsection (g) only when getting on or off school children. | (b) Same as UVC 11-705(c) less exemption in a loading zone on a controlled-access highway | (h) Fine ≤ 500 and/or community service |
| US-ID Idaho | Idaho Statutes §49-1422(1) Same as UVC 11-705(a) | (2) A school bus driver must flash red lights and use the stop arm specified in §49-915 whenever, but only whenever getting on or off school children, but not: (a) In business districts designated by the department or local authorities; or (b) At intersections or other places where traffic is controlled by traffic control signals or peace officers; or (c) In designated school bus loading areas where the bus is entirely off the roadway. | (1) Oncoming traffic on a highway of > 3 lanes need not stop upon meeting a stopped school bus. | (1) Fine 100 ~ 500
Idaho Administrative Code 39.02.71(200) 4 points |
| US-IL Illinois | §625 ILCS (Illinois Compiled Statutes) 5/11-1414(a) In addition to UVC 11-705(a), the stop law also applies on a roadway on school property, or upon a private road within an area that is covered by a contract or agreement executed pursuant to §625 ILCS 5/11-209.1. A school bus driver may signal a vehicle driver to proceed. | (b)~(c) The stop arm and flashing red lights specified in §§625 ILCS 5/12-803 and 12-805 respectively must be used when stopped to load or discharge pupils but not at any other time. | (e) Same as UVC 11-705(c) plus that a vehicle driver upon a highway having ≥ 4 lanes which permits ≥ 2 lanes of traffic to travel in opposite directions need not stop upon meeting a school bus stopped in the opposing roadway | (f)(¶1) Suspend license for P3M; P1Y for ≥ 2nd violation with P5Y of a prior conviction; and fine 150; 500 for ≥ 2nd violation
(¶2) A vehicle owner may be charged with the violation. 92 Illinois Administrative Code §1040.20(c) 25 points |
| US-IN Indiana | Indiana Code §9-21-12-1(a) Same as UVC 11-705(a) | §20-9.1-5-14 A stop arm must be used whenever stopped on a roadway to load or unload school children, but it is unnecessary when stopped at an intersection or other place where traffic is controlled by a traffic control device or a police officer. A public school governing body may authorize further exemption. "Roadway" means that portion of a highway improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the sidewalk, berm or shoulder. | §9-21-12-3 Same as UVC 11-705(c) less exemption in a loading zone on a controlled-access highway | §9-21-12-1(c) A vehicle owner may be charged with the violation.
§§9-21-12-9, 34-28-5-4 Class A infraction: fine ≤ 10000 140 IAC (Indiana Administrative Code) 1-4.5-10(d) 8 points |
| US-IA Iowa | Iowa Code §321.372(3) In addition to UVC 11-705(a), the law also applies on a private road and driveway. (¶1) A vehicle driver meeting a school bus flashing amber lights is limited to 20 miles per hour (32 km/h). (¶2) A driver overtaking a school bus may not pass flashing amber or red lights and must stop ≥ 15 feet (4.5 m) away from a stopped school bus until the stop arm is retracted AND the school bus resumes motion. | (1) The flashing red lights and stop arm must be used at the point to get on or off pupils, but it is not required at a designated loading and unloading zone at a school attendance center or at extracurricular or educational activity locations where students exiting the bus do not have to cross the street or highway. | (4) A vehicle driver upon a highway providing ≥ 2 lanes in each direction need not stop upon meeting a school bus traveling in the opposite direction even though it is stopped. | §805.8A(10)(b) Fine 100 |
| US-KS Kansas | Kansas Statutes §8-1556(a) Same as UVC 11-705(a) | (b) Flashing red lights meeting the requirements of §8-1730(a) may be used whenever but only whenever stopped to get on or off school children, but not: (1) At intersections or other places where traffic is controlled by traffic-control signals or police officers; or (2) in designated school bus loading areas where the bus is entirely off the roadway. | (d) True copy of UVC 11-705(c) | §8-2118(c) Fine 100 |
| US-KY Kentucky | Kentucky Revised Statutes §189.370(1) If a school or church bus transporting children is stopped on a highway to get on or off passengers while flashing red lights and using the stop arm, a vehicle operator approaching from any direction must stop and not proceed until the bus has completed getting on or off passengers and has been put into motion. | §189.375 The flashing red lights and stop arm must be activated when getting on or off school children. | §189.370(1) Vehicles approaching a stopped bus from the opposite direction upon a highway of ≥ 4 lanes need not stop. | §189.370(3) A vehicle owner may be charged with the violation.
§189.990(5) ≥ 6 points and fine 100 ~ 200 and/or imprison P30D ~ P60D; ≥ 2nd violation within P3Y: fine 300 ~ 500 and/or imprison P60D ~ P6M |
| US-LA Louisiana | Revised Statutes §32:80(A)(1) Same as UVC 11-705(a) plus that a vehicle must stop ≥ 30 feet (9 m) away from a stopped school bus | (B)(1) The flashing red lights and the stop arm required in §32:318 must be used whenever, but only whenever, the school bus is stopped, or is about to stop, on the roadway to get on or off school children. | (C) True copy of UVC 11-705(c) | §32:80(A)(3) A vehicle owner may be charged with the violation.
(4) Fine 100 ~ 500 and/or imprison ≤ P6M §32:414(A)(2) Suspend license for P30D; 2nd conviction: P60D; 3rd conviction: P1Y |
| US-ME Maine | Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A, §2308(2) Same as UVC 11-705(a) except that the rule also applies in a parking area or on school property and a vehicle operator may not proceed until the school bus resumes motion or until signaled by the school bus operator to proceed. | (1) The flashing lights must be used until after the bus has gotten on or off passengers. | (3) Same as UVC 11-705(c) | (5) A vehicle owner may be charged with the violation as an infraction.
(6) Class E crime: fine ≥ 250 for the 1st offense and suspend license for P30D for a 2nd offense within P3Y |
| US-MD Maryland | Maryland Code: Transportation §21-706(a)~(b) Same as UVC 11-705(a) except that a vehicle driver must stop ≥ 20 feet (6 m) from a school vehicle stopped on a roadway and flashing red lights | §22-228(d) Red lights must flash when stopped on the roadway to get on or off passengers.
(e) A school vehicle driver must operate the flashing lights when approaching from the rear or the front, within 100 feet (30 m) of another school vehicle loading or unloading passengers on the same roadway. |
§21-706(c) Same as UVC 11-705(c) less exemption in a loading zone on a controlled-access highway | §16-402(a)(5) 3 points
§27-101(a)~(b) Misdemeanor: fine ≤ 500 |
| US-MA Massachusetts | Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90, §14 (¶1) A motor vehicle or trackless trolley operator approaching a stopped school bus must stop and not proceed until the flashing red lights are deactivated, unless directed to the contrary by a police officer duly authorized to control the movement of traffic. | §7B (¶1) clause (7) Red lights must flash when school pupils are entering or leaving the bus but not at any other time. | §14 (¶1) Traffic approaching from the opposite direction on a divided highway need not stop. | §14 (¶1) Fine 100 ~ 200; 2nd offense within P2Y: fine 300 ~ 400 and revoke license for P30D; 3rd offense within P4Y: fine 500 ~ 1000 and revoke license for P1Y |
| US-MI Michigan | Michigan Compiled Laws §257.682(1) Same as UVC 11-705(a) and the stop must be ≥ 20 feet (6 m) away. At an intersection controlled by an officer or a traffic signal a vehicle may pass a stopped school bus no faster than 10 miles an hour (16 km/h) with due caution. | ? | (2) A vehicle driver upon a highway divided into 2 roadways by leaving an intervening space, or by a physical barrier, or clearly indicated dividing sections so constructed as to impede vehicular traffic, need not stop upon meeting a school bus which has stopped across the dividing space, barrier, or section. | §257.320a(1)(p) 3 points
§257.682(3) A vehicle owner may be charged with the violation. (4) Possible community service ≤ 100 hours at a school §257.907(2) Fine 100 ~ 500 |
| US-MN Minnesota | Minnesota Statutes §169.444, subdivision 1 A vehicle driver approaching a school bus stopped on a street or highway or other signed location under §169.443, subdivision 2(b), and flashing red lights and using a stop arm, must stop ≥ 20 feet (6 m) away. The driver may not proceed until the stop arm is retracted and the red lights no longer flash. | §169.443, subdivisions 1~2 The flashing red lights and stop arm must be used when stopped to load or unload school children.
3 Flashing red lights and the stop arm may not be used at several locations. Check law. |
§169.444, subdivision 4 A vehicle driver on a street or highway with separated roadways (a road that is separated from a parallel road by a safety isle or safety zone) need not stop when approaching or meeting a school bus on a different roadway. | §169.444, subdivision 2 Misdemeanor: fine ≥ 300
5 A peace officer with probable cause may arrest a motor vehicle driver believed to have operated the vehicle in violation of subdivision 1 or 1a within the past 4 hours! 6 A vehicle owner may be charged with the violation. |
| US-MS Mississippi | Mississippi Code §63-3-615(1) A vehicle driver meeting or overtaking a school bus stopped on the street or highway to get on or off any school children shall stop and not proceed until the children have crossed the street or highway and the school bus has proceeded in the direction it was going. | ? | None | (2) Misdemeanor: fine 200 ~ 500 and/or imprison ≤ P1Y |
| US-MO Missouri | Missouri Revised Statutes §304.050(1) Same as UVC 11-705(a) but a vehicle driver may not proceed until a stopped school bus resumes motion or until signaled by its driver to proceed | (4) A school bus driver loading or unloading students upon a street or highway must activate the mechanical and electrical signaling devices (flashing red lights) but it may be exempted upon a divided highway of ≥ 4 lanes when the bus is off the main roadway. | (5) Same as UVC 11-705(c) plus that a vehicle driver upon a highway with separate roadways need not stop for a school bus proceeding in the opposite direction on a highway containing ≥ 4 lanes of traffic | §302.302(1)(1) 2 points
§304.050(7) A vehicle owner may be charged with the violation. §304.070: Class A misdemeanor §558.011.1(5) Imprison ≤ P1Y §560.016.1(1) Fine ≤ 1000 |
| US-MT Montana | Montana Code Annotated §61-8-351(1) Same as UVC 11-705(a) plus that a vehicle driver must stop ≥ 10 feet (3 m) away and not proceed until the children have entered the school bus or have alighted and reached the side of the highway or street and until the school bus stops flashing red lights as specified in §61-9-402. | (3) Red lights must flash whenever but only whenever stopped on the highway or street to get on or off school children. However, a school district board of trustees may, in its discretion, prohibit flashing red lights when a school bus is stopped at the school site to get on or off school children and the receipt or discharge does not involve street crossing by the children. | (5) Same as UVC 11-705(c) | (6) A vehicle owner may be charged with the violation.
(7) Fine ≤ 500 |
| US-NE Nebraska | Nebraska Statutes §60-6,175(1) Upon meeting or overtaking a school bus flashing the stop warning signal lights, a motor vehicle driver must slow to 25 miles per hour (40 km/h), and stop when the stop arm is extended, and not proceed until the stop arm is retracted and the school bus resumes motion or until signaled by the bus driver to proceed. | (2) The flashing stop warning signal lights and the stop arm must be used when getting on or off pupils.
(7) When a school bus is parked (a) in a designated school bus loading area out of the traffic flow and adjacent to a school site or (b) on a roadway with > 1 traffic lane flowing in the same direction and adjacent to a school site, only the flashing stop warning signal lights shall be used when getting on or off pupils if a school bus loading area warning sign (§60-6,176) is displayed. |
(4) Same as UVC 11-705(c)
(1) Stopping requirement does not apply to approaching traffic in the opposite direction on a divided highway or to approaching traffic when there is displayed a school bus loading area warning sign directing traffic to proceed. |
§60-4,182(¶1)(13) 1 point
§§60-6,175(1), 28-106(1) Class IV misdemeanor: fine 100 ~ 500 |
| US-NV Nevada | Nevada Revised Statutes §484.357(1) Same as UVC 11-705(a) but a vehicle driver may not proceed until the red lights stop flashing | ? | (2) Same as UVC 11-705(c) plus that a vehicle driver need not stop where a traffic officer controls traffic, less exemption in a loading zone on a controlled-access highway | (3) Misdemeanor: fine 250 ~ 500; 2nd offense within P1Y: fine 250 ~ 500 and suspend license for P6M; ≥ 3rd offense within P2Y after the most recent offense: fine ≤ 1000 and suspend license ≤ P1Y
Nevada Administrative Code 483.510(10)(a) 4 points |
| US-NH New Hampshire | New Hampshire Revised Statutes §265:54, I A vehicle driver must stop for a stopped school bus getting on or off school children ≥ 25 feet (7.5 m) away and not proceed until such school bus resumes motion, or until flashing red lights cease to operate. | §265:57, III Red lights must flash when stopped on the highway to get on or off passengers. | §265:54, III Same as UVC 11-705(a) but the exemption on a divided highway applies to the opposite direction on its other half only. | §265:54, I-a A vehicle owner may be charged with the violation.
I-b Fine 100 ~ 750; ≥ 2nd offense: fine 250 ~ 1000 and possibly suspend license for P30D IV Passing a stopped school bus on the right: fine 500 ~ 1200 and suspend license ≤ P30D for a 1st offense; P30D for a 2nd offense; and P30D ~ P120D for a subsequent offense New Hampshire Code of Administrative Rules Saf-C 212.03(e)(6) 6 points |
| US-NJ New Jersey | New Jersey Statutes 39:4-128.1 (¶1~2) A vehicle driver must stop for a stopped school bus getting on or off any child ≥ 25 feet (7.5 m) away and not proceed until such child has entered the bus or has alighted and reached the side of such highway and until a flashing red light is no longer exhibited. | (¶6) Red lights must flash until every child who may have alighted from a school bus shall have reached a place of safety. | (¶3) On highways with separate roadways separated by safety islands or physical traffic separation installations, a vehicle driver on another roadway approaching a stopped school bus getting on or off any child, must slow to 10 miles per hour (16 km/h) and not resume normal speed until the vehicle has passed the bus and any child who may have alighted therefrom or be about to enter said bus.
(¶5) Whenever a school bus is parked at the curb to receive children directly from, or to discharge them to enter, a school, a summer day camp, or any school connected activity, located on the same side of the street where the bus is parked, vehicle drivers may pass the bus no faster than 10 miles per hour (16 km/h). |
5 points
(¶7) (1) Fine ≥ 100, (2) imprison ≤ P15D or community service for P15D, (3) or both; ≥ 2nd offense: fine ≥ 250 and/or imprison ≤ P15D. A vehicle owner may be charged with the violation. (¶8) Such willful violation may revoke a driver license. |
| §39:4-128.4(a) A vehicle driver meeting or overtaking a frozen dessert truck (§39:4-128.3(b)) stopped on the highway must stop before reaching the truck when the flashing red lights and stop signal arm (§39:4-128.5) are in use, and may then proceed past such truck no faster than 15 miles per hour (24 km/h), and must yield to any pedestrian crossing the roadway to or from the truck. | §39:4-128.6 A frozen dessert truck driver must flash the red lights and extend the stop signal arm when but only when stopped on the highway to vend. | §39:4-128.4(b) A vehicle driver on a highway with separate roadways separated by safety islands or physical traffic separation installations need not stop upon meeting or passing a frozen dessert truck on another roadway. | 4 points
§39:4-128.10 Fine ≤ 100 | |
| US-NM New Mexico | New Mexico Statutes §66-7-347(A) Same as UVC 11-705(a). The stop must be ≥ 10 feet (3 m) away. A school bus driver may signal traffic to proceed. | §66-7-348 Flashing warning signal lights may be used when children are boarding or alighting from any school bus but not at other times. | §66-7-347(C) True copy of UVC 11-705(c) | §66-8-7(A)~(B) Misdemeanor: fine ≤ 300 and/or imprison ≤ P90D
18.19.5.52 NMAC (New Mexico Administrative Code) 6 points |
| US-NY New York | Vehicle and Traffic Law §1174(a) A vehicle driver on the public highway (§134)(also any area used for motor vehicle parking or used as a driveway located on the grounds of a school or of a board of cooperative educational services facility or any area used as a means of access to and egress from such school or facility), street or private road meeting or overtaking from either direction a school bus flashing red lights, and stopped to get on or off any passengers, or stopped because a school bus in front of it has stopped to get on or off any passengers, must stop and not proceed until such school bus resumes motion, or until signaled by the driver or a police officer to proceed. | §375(20)(a) A school bus driver must flash red lights whenever getting on or off passengers or whenever stopped within 50 feet (15 m) to the rear of another school bus flashing red lights. | None | 5 points
§1174(c) Fine 250 ~ 400 and/or imprison ≤ P30D; 2nd violation within P3Y: fine 600 ~ 750 and/or imprison ≤ P180D; ≥ 3rd violation within P3Y: fine 750 ~ 1000 and/or imprison ≤ P180D §510(2)(viii) 3rd violation within P3Y: revoke license ≥ P6M |
| US-NC North Carolina | North Carolina General Statutes §20-217(a) A vehicle driver approaching from any direction on the same street, highway, or public vehicular area any school bus (including privately owned buses transporting children and school buses transporting senior citizens under §115C-243) must stop while the bus is displaying its mechanical stop signal or flashing red stoplights, and is stopped to get on or off passengers, and not proceed until the mechanical stop signal has been withdrawn, the flashing red stoplights have been turned off, and the bus has moved on. | ? | (c) A vehicle driver traveling in the opposite direction from the school bus, upon a road divided into 2 roadways by an intervening space (including a center lane for left turns if the roadway consists of ≥ 4 more lanes) or by a physical barrier, need not stop upon meeting and passing any school bus which has stopped in the roadway across such dividing space or physical barrier. | §20-16(c) 5 points or 8 points while operating a commercial motor vehicle
§§20-217(e), 15A-1340.23(b)~(c) Class 2 misdemeanor: fine ≤ 1000 and/or imprison ≤ P60D |
| US-ND North Dakota | North Dakota Century Code §39-10-46(1) Same as UVC 11-705(a) plus that a vehicle driver must stop for the flashing red lights or the stop arm specified in §39-21-18 and that a school bus driver may signal traffic to proceed | (4) Flashing red lights and a stop arm meeting the requirements of §39-21-18 may only be actuated whenever stopped on the highway to get on or off schoolchildren. | (5) True copy of UVC 11-705(c) | §39-06.1-06(2)(a) Fine 50
§39-06.1-10(3)(a)(22) 6 points §39-10-46.1 A vehicle owner may be charged with the violation. |
| US-OH Ohio | Ohio Revised Code §4511.75(A) (¶1) A vehicle, streetcar, or trackless trolley driver meeting or overtaking from either direction any school bus stopped to get on or off any school child, person attending programs offered by community boards of mental health and county boards of mental retardation and developmental disabilities, or child attending a program offered by a head start agency (§3301.31(A)(1)), must stop ≥ 10 feet (3 m) away and not proceed until such school bus resumes motion, or until signaled by the school bus driver to proceed.
(¶2) It is no defense to a charge under this division that the school bus involved failed to display or be equipped with an automatically extended stop warning sign as required by division (B). |
(B) Flashing red lights meeting the requirements of §4511.771 and an automatically extended stop arm of a type approved by the state board of education must be actuated whenever but only whenever stopped or stopping on the roadway to get on or off school children, persons attending programs offered by community boards of mental health and county boards of mental retardation and developmental disabilities, or children attending programs offered by head start agencies. However, they shall not be actuated in designated school bus loading areas where the bus is entirely off the roadway or at school buildings when children or persons attending programs offered by community boards of mental health and county boards of mental retardation and developmental disabilities are loading or unloading at curbside or at buildings when children attending programs offered by head start agencies are loading or unloading at curbside. The flashing lights and stop arm shall be synchronized or otherwise operated as required by rule of the board. | (C) A vehicle, streetcar, or trackless trolley driver on a highway divided into ≥ 4 traffic lanes need not stop for a school bus approaching from the opposite direction and stopped to get on or off passengers. | §4507.021(G)(16) 2 points
§4511.99(G) Fine ≤ 500 |
| US-OK Oklahoma | Oklahoma Statutes §47-11-705(A) Same as UVC 11-705(a) | (B) Flashing red lights meeting the requirements of §47-12-228 must be actuated whenever but only whenever stopped on the highway for the purpose of getting on or off school children. | (C) True copy of UVC 11-705(c) | §47-17-101(A)~(B)(1) Misdemeanor: fine 5 ~ 500 and/or imprison ≤ P10D; 2nd conviction within P1Y after the 1st conviction: ≤ P20D; ≥ 3rd conviction within P1Y after the 1st conviction: ≤ P6M
Oklahoma Administrative Code 595:10-7-2 4 points |
| US-OR Oregon | Oregon Revised Statutes §811.155(1) A driver meeting or overtaking from either direction any vehicle (including a school bus or a worker transport bus) stopped on a roadway and operating red bus safety lights described under §816.260 must stop and not proceed until the lights go off. | §816.350(8) Unless otherwise allowed, only school buses, worker transport buses (§801.610), and vehicles issued a permit under §818.260 may use red and amber bus safety lights. | §811.155(2)(a) The offense in this section does not apply if the vehicle operating the bus safety lights is not so permitted under §816.350 and §816.360.
(b) A driver need not comply with this section if the vehicle operating red bus safety lights is stopped on a different roadway. |
§§811.155(3), 153.018(2)(a) Class A traffic violation: fine ≤ 600 |
| US-PA Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Title 75, §3345(a) In addition to UVC 11-705(a), a vehicle driver must stop ≥ 10 feet (3 m) away when red lights flash and a stop arm is activated under §4552(b.1), and a vehicle driver approaching an intersection at which a school bus is stopped shall stop his vehicle at that intersection until the flashing red signal lights are no longer actuated. | (c) Red lights must flash whenever stopped on the highway or trafficway to get on or offing school children, except as provided in subsections (e) and (f). Check law. | (g) Same as UVC 11-705(c) less exemption in a loading zone on a controlled-access highway | §3345(j) Fine 250
§1535(a) 5 points and suspend license for P60D |
| US-RI Rhode Island | Rhode Island General Laws §31-20-12(a) In addition to UVC 11-705(a), a vehicle must also stop for a stopped school bus upon a private way, or private or public parking area, and no driver of any motor vehicle, except emergency vehicles on official business, may travel in the same lane of traffic behind a school bus at a distance of < 50 feet (15 m). | §31-20-11.1 No school bus driver while transporting school children may stop without flashing lights ≥ 100 feet (30 m) prior to the scheduled school bus stop. | §31-20-13 Same as UVC 11-705(c) but the divided highway provision is limited to a highway divided by a median strip separating opposing lanes of traffic. | §31-20-12(a) Fine ≤ 300 and/or suspend license for ≤ P30D; ≥ 2nd offense: fine 300 ~500 and/or revoke license for P1Y |
| US-SC South Carolina | South Carolina Code of Laws §56-5-2770(a) Same as UVC 11-705(a)
(e) A vehicle driver must stop for a stopped school bus: 1. On any 2-lane highway. 2. On any 4-lane or multi-laned highway where opposing highway is separated only by painted lines on the roadway or a narrow gravel median. 3. When overtaking a school bus flashing red or amber lights. |
(b) Red lights may flash whenever, but only whenever, a school bus is stopped or preparing to stop on the highway to get on or off school children, but not in designated school bus loading areas if the bus is entirely off the roadway. | (d) A vehicle driver need not stop upon meeting a stopped school bus when the bus is in a passenger loading zone completely off the main travel lanes and when pedestrians are not allowed to cross the roadway, or on highways where the roadways are separated by an earth or raised concrete median. | §56-5-2780(A) Misdemeanor: fine ≥ 500 or imprison ≤ P30D or community service ≥ P10D; ≥ 2nd violation: fine 2000 ~ 5000 or imprison P30D ~ P60D
§56-1-720 6 points |
| US-SD South Dakota | South Dakota Codified Laws §32-32-6 (¶1) A motor vehicle operator on a 2-lane highway or a private road meeting or overtaking a school bus flashing amber lights is limited to 20 miles per hour (32 km/h). A motor vehicle operator meeting or overtaking a school bus flashing red lights must stop ≥ 15 feet (4.5 m) away and not proceed until red lights stop flashing. | §32-32-5.2 Red lights must flash and the stop arm must be used when getting on or off pupils on the roadway (§32-14-1), in a rural, residential, and business district and off the roadway in a residential district, but not off the roadway in a business district and rural district and when getting on or off passengers at a school location when the passengers need not cross the lane of traffic. | §32-32-6 (¶2) A motor vehicle operator on a highway providing ≥ 2 lanes in each direction need not stop when meeting a school bus traveling in the opposite direction.
§32-32-7 Same as UVC 11-705(c) but the exemption of a loading zone on a limited or controlled-access highway applies when the school bus is stopped in a loading zone which is a part of or adjacent to such highway OR where pedestrians are not permitted to cross the roadway. |
32-12-49.1(8) 3 points
§§32-32-6 (¶3), 22-6-2 (¶1) Class 2 misdemeanor: fine ≤ 200 and/or imprison ≤ P30D §32-32-9 A motor vehicle with the offending driver unknown is subject to a civil penalty of 250 USD. |
| US-TN Tennessee | Tennessee Code §55-8-151(a)(1), (b)(1)(A), (c)(1)(A) A vehicle driver meeting or overtaking from either direction any school bus, church bus or youth bus stopped on the highway to get on or off any school children or passengers must stop and not proceed until such school bus, church bus or youth bus resumes motion or is signaled by the driver of the school bus, church bus or youth bus to proceed or the visual signals on the bus are no longer actuated. This provision also applies to a school bus flashing lights, using stop arm, and stopped upon property owned, operated, or used by a school or educational institution, if getting on or off any school children outside a protected loading zone.
(b)(1)(B), (c)(1)(B) This provision applies only if the church bus or youth bus has the same type of safety equipment indicating the bus has stopped as is required for school buses. |
(a)(4), (b)(4), (c)(4) The visual stop signs on the school bus, church bus or youth bus must be actuated until all school children or passengers who should be discharged from the bus have been so discharged and until all children or passengers whose destination causes them to cross the road or highway at that place have negotiated such crossing. | (a)(3)(A) True copy of UVC 11-705(c)
(b)(3)(A), (c)(3)(A) The exemption from stopping for a stopped church bus or youth bus applies similarly with respect to a stopped school bus. (a)(3)(B), (b)(3)(B), (c)(3)(B) "Separate roadways" used here mean roadways divided by an intervening space not suitable to vehicular traffic. |
(a)(5)(B) Class A misdemeanor for passing stopped school bus: fine 250 ~ 1000
§§55-8-151(b)(5), (c)(5), 40-35-111(e)(3) Class C misdemeanor for passing stopped church bus or youth bus: fine ≤ 50 and/or imprison ≤ P30D Rules and Regulations of the State of Tennessee 1340-1-4-.03(1)(p) 6 points for passing stopped school bus |
| US-TX Texas | Transportation Code §545.066(a) Same as UVC 11-705(a) but a school bus driver may signal traffic to proceed | §547.701(c) Red lights must flash when but only when permitting students to board or exit the bus. | §545.066(b) Same as UVC 11-705(c) (f)(1) A highway is divided only if the highway has roadways separated by an intervening space not permitting operation of vehicles, a physical barrier, or a clearly indicated dividing section constructed to impede vehicular traffic; and (2) a highway is not considered divided if the highway has roadways separated only by a left turn lane. | §545.066(c) Misdemeanor: fine 200 ~ 1000
(d) ≥ 2nd offense: possibly suspend license ≤ P6M (e) Community service may substitute fines. |
| US-UT Utah | Utah Code §41-6-100.10(2)(a) A vehicle operator upon a highway, upon meeting or overtaking any school bus flashing amber lights, must slow past the school bus to a speed not greater than specified in §41-6-46(2) for school zones (prima facie limit of 20 miles per hour (32 km/h)).
(b) Same as UVC 11-705(a) but a vehicle operator may not proceed until red lights stop flashing |
(4)(a), (b) A school bus operator must flash red lights whenever children must cross a highway from or to the bus, or at any other time when it would be hazardous for vehicles to proceed past the stopped school bus. Red lights may not flash except when loading or unloading school children or for any emergency purpose. | (3) A vehicle operator need not stop upon meeting or passing a school bus flashing red lights and traveling in the opposite direction when: (a) traveling upon a divided highway; (b) the bus is stopped at an intersection or other place controlled by a traffic-control signal or by a peace officer; or (c) upon a highway of ≥ 5 lanes, which may include a left-turn lane or 2-way left turn lane. | (6)(a) Class C misdemeanor: fine ≥ (i) 100; (ii) 2nd offense within P3Y of a previous conviction or bail forfeiture: 200; (iii) ≥ 3rd offense within P3Y of a previous conviction or bail forfeiture: 500
(c) Compensatory service may substitute fines. |
| US-VT Vermont | Vermont Statutes Title 23, §1075(a) Same as UVC 11-705(a) but the operator of a motor vehicle, including authorized emergency vehicles under §1015, may not proceed until red lights stop flashing | §1283(a)(4) Red lights must flash whenever but only whenever getting on or off school children. | §1075(b) Same as UVC 11-705(c) | §2302(c) Fine ≤ 1000
§2502(a)(4)(B) 5 points |
| US-VA Virginia | Code of Virginia §§46.2-844 (¶1), 46.2-859 (¶1) One must stop, when approaching from any direction, any school bus stopped on any highway or school driveway to take on or discharge children, the elderly, or mentally or physically handicapped persons, and to remain stopped until all such persons are clear of the highway or school driveway and the bus is put in motion. | §46.2-1090 (¶1) Red lights must flash when a school bus is either (i) stopped to take on or discharge children, the elderly, or mentally or physically handicapped persons or (ii) stopped for another such bus, when approaching from any direction, that is stopped or about to stop to take on or discharge any such persons.
(¶2) Failure of a warning device to function on any school bus does not relieve any motor vehicle operator from his duty to stop as provided in §§46.2-844 and 46.2-859. |
§46.2-859 (¶1) A vehicle driver need not stop when approaching a school bus that is stopped on the other roadway of a divided highway, on an access road, or on a driveway when such other roadway, access road, or driveway is separated from the roadway on which he is driving by a physical barrier or an unpaved area, or loading or discharging passengers from or onto property immediately adjacent to a school if such driver is directed by a law-enforcement officer or other duly authorized uniformed school crossing guard to pass such school bus. | 46.2-492(D)(1) 6 points (reckless) (3) 3 points (non-reckless)
§46.2-844 (¶1) Fine 250 §46.2-859 (¶1) Reckless driving for passing a stopped school bus illegally |
| US-WA Washington | Revised Code of Washington §46.61.370(1) Same as UVC 11-705(a) but applicable only when a school bus has stopped on the roadway to get on or off any school children
§46.61.375(1) A vehicle driver overtaking or meeting from either direction any private carrier bus (§46.04.416) stopped on the roadway to get on or off any passenger and flashing red lights as specified in §46.37.190 must stop and not proceed until such bus resumes motion or the red lights stop flashing. |
(4) Red lights of a school bus or private carrier bus required by §46.37.190 must flash only when stopped on the roadway to get on or off school children or passengers.
(5) A driver of a school bus or private carrier bus may stop completely off the roadway to get on or off school children or passengers only when they do not have to cross the roadway. The hazard warning lamps as defined in §46.37.215 must be actuated before loading or unloading school children or passengers at such stops. |
(2)~(3) A vehicle driver need not stop upon meeting a school bus or private carrier bus proceeding in the opposite direction and stopped to get on or off school children or passengers upon a highway divided into separate roadways as provided in §46.61.150 or with ≥ 3 marked traffic lanes. | §46.61.370(6) Monetary penalty equal to twice the total penalty assessed under §46.63.110
§46.63.110(1) Monetary penalty ≤ 250 |
| US-WV West Virginia | West Virginia Code §17C-12-7(a) Same as UVC 11-705(a) but the provision applies wherever the school bus is getting on or off children, including, but not limited to, any street, highway, parking lot, private road or driveway and a school bus driver may signal traffic to proceed. | §17C-12-8(b) Except when any school bus is stopped or is slowing down on any street or highway to permit school children to board or alight from said school bus, flashing any warning lights is unlawful. | §17C-12-7 Same as UVC 11-705(c) but applicable upon a controlled access highway only. | §17C-12-7 Misdemeanor: fine 50 ~ 200 and/or imprison ≤ P6M. A vehicle owner may be charged with the violation.
West Virginia Code of State Rules §91-5-7.2 6 points |
| §17C-12-7a(b) A vehicle driver meeting or overtaking from any direction any passenger van (§17C-1-64) stopped to load or unload passengers must stop when warning signal lights are flashing on the van or when an adult is outside the van with a red caution flag and assisting with the loading or unloading of passengers. The vehicle driver may not proceed until he or she is signaled by the passenger van driver to proceed, the van signal lights stop flashing, or the van resumes motion. This applies wherever the passenger van is loading or unloading children on any street, highway, parking lot, private road or driveway. | (a) Every passenger van used for the transportation of children must bear upon the front and rear thereof a sign "Caution: Loading and Unloading Passengers" and be equipped with either flashing warning signal lights as are contemplated and referred to in §17C-12-8, or a red caution flag to be used by the driver or another adult by exiting the van and displaying while assisting in the loading or unloading of passengers. | (b) A vehicle driver upon a controlled access highway need not stop upon meeting or passing a passenger van which is on a different roadway or adjacent to the highway and where pedestrians are not permitted to cross the roadway. | (b) Misdemeanor: fine 50 ~ 200 and/or imprison ≤ P6M. A vehicle owner may be charged with the violation. | |
| US-WI Wisconsin | Wisconsin Statutes §346.48(1) Same as UVC 11-705(a) and a vehicle operator must stop ≥ 20 feet (6 m) away
(3) If a motor vehicle operator overtakes a stopped school bus loading or unloading pupils or other authorized passengers at an intersection on the right side of a roadway in a business or residence district where school bus red lights may not flash, the operator shall pass at a safe distance to the left of the school bus and not turn right in front of it at that intersection. |
(1) A school bus operator approaching from the front or rear any stopped school bus flashing red lights must flash red lights while stopped, but not when proceeding in the opposite direction on a divided highway.
(2)(a) Red lights as specified in §347.25(2) must flash ≥ 100 feet (30 m) before stopping to load or unload pupils or other authorized passengers, and until loading or unloading is completed and persons who must cross the highway are safely across. (2)(b) Red lights may not flash in 1. Special school bus loading areas where the school bus is entirely off the traveled portion of the highway. 2. Residence or business districts when pupils or other authorized passengers are to be loaded or unloaded where a sidewalk and curb are laid on both sides of the road, unless required otherwise by municipal ordinance enacted under §349.21(1). |
(1) Vehicle operators proceeding in the opposite direction on a divided highway need not stop for stopped school buses. | §346.49(2) Fine 30 ~ 300
§346.485 A vehicle owner may be charged with the violation. Wisconsin Administrative Code Trans 101.02(2)(e) 4 points |
| US-WY Wyoming | Wyoming Statutes §31-5-507(a) Same as UVC 11-705(a) | (b) Red lights meeting the requirements of §31-5-929 must flash whenever the school bus is stopped and is getting on or off school children in designated school bus loading areas. The board of trustees of a school district may exempt flashing red lights if (i) The board finds the safety of children is not jeopardized; and (ii) The bus is not on a public roadway. | (d) Same as UVC 11-705(c) | §31-5-1201(a),(e) Misdemeanor: fine 100 ~ 750; ≥ 2nd conviction within P1Y: fine 200 ~ 1000 |
| ISO 3166, 1 district and 5 outlying areas | Stopping for school bus | Flashing red lamps on school bus | Stops exempted | Penalties for illegally passing stopped school bus |
| US-DC District of Columbia | DCMR (DC Municipal Regulations) 18-22-2209 When approaching from any direction a stopped school bus flashing red lights, a vehicle driver must stop ≥ 15 feet (4.5 m) away and not proceed until the lights are off. | DCMR 18-24-2401.6 A school bus driver must flash red light when stopped to get on or off school children. | DCMR 18-22-2209.2 When approaching a stopped school bus flashing red lights from the opposite direction on a street with a median strip divider, a vehicle driver shall not stop. | 4 points and fine 50 USD |
| AS American Samoa | American Samoa Code §22.0319 Same as UVC 11-705(a) but a vehicle driver may not proceed until the red lights stop flashing and the bus either resumes motion or the bus driver signals the driver to proceed. | §22.1107(2) Red lights must flash whenever but only whenever a school bus is stopped on the highway to get on or off schoolchildren. | None | §22.0102(a) Class B misdemeanor: fine ≤ 500 USD and/or imprison ≤ P6M
§22.0360 A vehicle owner may be charged with the violation. |
| GU Guam | Guam Code Annotated Title 16, §3336(c) A vehicle driver, approaching upon any highway from either direction any school bus stopped to get on or off any passengers, must stop and not proceed until all passengers have gotten on or off the bus and have reached a position of safety. | ? | None | §3336(c) Fine (10 ~ 50) USD |
| MP Northern Mariana Islands | ||||
| PR Puerto Rico | (Spanish) Ley de Vehículos y Tránsito (Law of Vehicles and Traffic) Artículo 10.09(a) All drivers must stop when meeting or overtaking any school bus stopped at the outer edge of the public road to take or leave students and flashing red lights, and may not proceed until the bus resumes motion, or the red lights stop flashing, or signaled by the school bus driver to proceed. | (b) A school bus (Artículo 1.68) must have signs reading "OMNIBUS ESCOLAR" or "TRANSPORTE ESCOLAR" and alternately flashing red lights like a US school bus. | (c) Same as UVC 11-705(c) | (a) Fine 100 USD |
| VI Virgin Islands (driving on the left) | Virgin Islands Code Title 20, §495(h)(1)~(2) A vehicle operator must stop ≥ 10 feet (3 m) when approaching from the front or overtaking any bus flashing signal lights except at the specific direction of a traffic officer, and not proceed until the bus stops flashing signal lights. At the intersection of ≥ 2 roadways, turning in the direction of a bus getting on or off passengers is prohibited. The word "bus" hereby means any school bus or bus clearly marked "Senior Citizens" or "Disabled Persons" with signal lights to signal a stop by flashing. | ? | (1) A vehicle operator upon a highway with separate roadways need not stop upon meeting or passing a bus on a different roadway. | §803(11)(e) 8 points
§544(h) Fine ≤ 500 USD and/or imprison ≤ P6M (i) 2nd offense: suspend license for ≤ P1Y |
| ISO 3166-2, 10 provinces: authors of legislation | Stopping for school bus | Flashing red lamps on school bus | Stops exempted | Penalties for illegally passing stopped school bus with fines in the Canadian dollars (CAD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA-AB Alberta: Queen's Printer | Use of Highway and Rules of the Road Regulation 72(1)~(2) Same as UVC 11-705(a) but a vehicle operator may not proceed until signalled by the school driver to proceed or the red lights stop flashing. | 73(1) Red lights must flash when stopped on a highway to load or unload passengers. | 72(1)(a) A vehicle operator on a highway divided by a median into 2 separate roadways need not stop when approaching a school bus flashing red lights from the front. | Traffic Safety Act
160 A vehicle owner may be charged with the violation. Demerit Point Program and Service of Documents Regulation Schedule 1 (11) 6 points Provincial Offences Procedure Act 7(1) Fine ≤ 2000 and/or imprison ≤ P6M |
| CA-BC British Columbia: Queen's Printer | Motor Vehicle Act 149 Same as UVC 11-705(a) but a vehicle driver may not proceed until the school bus resumes motion or the bus driver signals other drivers to proceed. | ? | None | Offence Act 4 Fine ≤ 2000 and/or imprison ≤ P6M |
| CA-MB Manitoba: Manitoba Government | The Highway Traffic Act 137(5) A motor vehicle driver approaching a school bus, stopped on a highway and using a light or other warning device as required by subsection (4), from any direction must stop ≥ 5 m away and not proceed until the school bus resumes motion, signalled by its driver to proceed, or the light or other warning device mentioned in subsection (4) is no longer used. | 137(4) Where a school bus is stopped and children are getting on or off or about to get on or off, the driver, (a) must flash red or yellow lights as provided in 37(8) or 37(13) if equipped; or (b) if not equipped as mentioned in clause (a), (i) must turn on turning lights nearest to the centre of the highway or on both sides, or (ii) must operate other authorized warning device clearly visible to the meeting or overtaking vehicle drivers. | 137(6) Same as UVC 11-705(c) less exemption in a loading zone on a controlled-access highway | 229(2) A vehicle owner may be charged with the violation.
239(1)~(2) Fine ≤ 2000 and possibly suspend licence for ≤ P30D |
| CA-NB New Brunswick: Department of Justice | M-17 188(1) Same as UVC 11-705(a) but a motor vehicle driver must stop ≥ 5 m away | ? | (1.1) A vehicle driver meeting a bus flashing red lights on a highway divided by a median need not stop. | M-17 188(1.2) A vehicle owner may be charged with the violation.
·Schedule A: category E offence P-22.1 56(5) Fine 120 ~ 2500 57(e) ≥ 2nd conviction: fine ≤ 5000 63(1) ≥ 2nd conviction: imprison ≤ P30D |
| CA-NL Newfoundland and Labrador: House of Assembly | Highway Traffic Act 137(1) Same as UVC 11-705(a) but also applicable on a loading zone provided at a school or other place where parking areas are provided to get on or off school children, and a school bus driver may signal traffic to proceed. | (4) Red lights must flash when the school bus is stopped on the highway to get on or off school children. | (6)~(7) Same as UVC 11-705(c) | 6 points
Schedule: Fine 100 ~ 400 or imprison P2D ~ P14D in default of payment of fine |
| CA-NS Nova Scotia: Office of the Legislative Counsel | Motor Vehicle Act 103(3) A vehicle driver must stop before passing a school bus, that is flashing red lights and stopped on or near a highway, and remain stopped until the school bus proceeds. | ? | None | 282(2)(6) 5 points
295A Fine 250 ~ 500 and in default of payment imprison ≥ P30D |
| CA-ON Ontario: CanLII | Highway Traffic Act 175(11)~(12) Same as UVC 11-705(a) but also applicable to a street car operator, and a driver or a street car operator from the rear must stop ≥ 20 m away | (6),(8) Red lights must flash when about to stop on a highway to get on or off children or adults with developmental disabilities. The stop arm must be used when stopped. The red lights and stop arm must continue until the passengers have been gotten on or off the bus and all passengers have crossed the highway if needed. The red lights and stop arm may not be used at other time.
(9) The red lights and stop arm may not be used at certain locations. Check law. (13) A municipality may by by-law designate school bus loading zones on its highways and therefore waive the requirement of subsection (6) therein. |
(11) A driver or street car operator meeting a stopped school bus on a highway with a median strip need not stop. | 6 points
(17)~(18) Fine 400 ~ 2000; ≥ 2nd offence within P5Y: fine 1000 ~ 4000 and/or imprison ≤ P6M (19)~(20) A vehicle owner may be charged with the violation. |
| CA-PE Prince Edward Island: Legislative Counsel | Highway Traffic Act 202(1) A vehicle driver meeting or overtaking a school bus flashing red lights upon a highway must stop ≥ 6 m away and not pass until red lights stop flashing. | (2)(c), (3) Red lights must flash when the school bus is stopped to get on or off children. | None | 301~302 Fine 50 ~ 100 or in default of payment imprison ≤ P30D; ≤ P3M for ≥ 2nd offence |
| CA-QC Quebec: Publications du Québec | Code de la sécurité routière (French) = Highway Safety Code (English) 460 A vehicle driver approaching a school bus (marked Écoliers in French) flashing red lights or using stop arm must stop > 5 m away and not proceed in either direction until the red lights and stop arm are stopped. | 456~458 The red lights and stop arm (229) must be used when stopping to take on or discharge persons until they have reached safety. Where ≥ 2 school buses are stopped in single file and any of them is taking on or discharging persons, the red lights and stop arm of every following bus must be used. The red lights and stop arm may not be used at other times. | 460 A vehicle meeting a school bus on an adjacent roadway separated by a median strip or by any other raised physical separation need not stop. | 9 points
510 Fine 200 ~ 300 |
| CA-SK Saskatchewan: Queen's Printer | The Highway Traffic Act 43(2) A vehicle driver may not overtake on a highway a school bus using its safety lights.
(3)~(4) Same as UVC 11-705(a) but a vehicle driver must stop ≥ 5 m away and not proceed until the safety lights and stop arm are no longer used |
(1) The Highway Traffic Board may approve a non-rural municipality to make bylaws prohibiting the use of safety lights and stop arms on a highway located within its boundaries. | (4) A vehicle driver approaching a stopped school bus from the opposite direction on a divided highway need not stop. | (5) Fine 250 ~ 1000 |
| ISO 3166-2 and 3 territories: authors of legislation | Stopping for school bus | Flashing red lamps on school bus | Stops exempted | Penalties for illegally passing stopped school bus |
| CA-NT Northwest Territories, CA-NU Nunavut: CanLII | Motor Vehicles Act 217 A driver meeting or overtaking a school bus flashing red lights must stop and not proceed until the lights stop flashing. | 134 Red lights if equipped must flash when a school bus on a highway is slowing down to stop and stopped to get on or off passengers. | None | |
| CA-YT Yukon Territory: CanLII | Motor Vehicles Act 172(1)~(2) Same as UVC 11-705(a) but a driver must stop for a school bus stopped on a highway to get on or off passengers OR while flashing red lights until the school bus resumes motion, signalled by the school bus driver to proceed, or the red lights stop flashing. | ? | (1) A vehicle driver approaching a stopped school bus from the front on a highway physically divided by a median into 2 separate roadways need not stop. | 247(1) Fine ≤ 500 CAD or imprison ≤ P6M
248(1) A vehicle owner may be charged with the violation. |
(Dutch) (French) BIVV IBSR Verkeersreglement Le code de la route (the Code of the Road) Artikel 39bis Article 39bis Behaviour with regard to vehicles for school transportation
39bis1. The vehicles for school transportation will be signalled by the following sign.
This sign has a side of at least 0.40 m; the background shall be of a reflecting product.
This sign must be mounted clearly visible at the left part at front and rear of the vehicle; it shall be removed or covered when the vehicle is not in use for school transport.
39bis2. The drivers must increase prudence at approaching of a (school) vehicle, with signs as described above. They must reduce their speed significantly and if required stop, when the driver of the (school) vehicle has all direction lights blinking meaning that children are embarking or disembarking.
(German) Straßenverkehrs-Ordnung (Road Traffic Ordinances): (school bus = Schulbus; school busses = Schulbussen; sign = Zeichen)
§ 16 Warning signals
(1) Sound- and light signals may only be used outside villages when overtaking (§ 5 (5)), or at the sight of dangerous situations.
(2) The driver of a public bus or a marked school bus must flash at approaching of a bus stop and during boarding and disembarking at a marked bus stop. Besides that, flashers may only be used during lay-by due to vehicle-trouble (§ 15), towing a vehicle (§ 15a) or to warn others for a dangerous situation, for example, at approaching traffic jam or very low speed on motorways and highways.
(3) Sound signals (Horn) may not use multiple frequencies.
§ 20 Public Transportation and School buses
(1) A public bus, streetcar and marked school buses stopping at bus stops (traffic sign 224) may only be passed, also by opposite traffic, with great caution.
(2) At boarding and disembarking, passing at the right may only be done at very low speed and at such a distance that danger to the bus passengers is impossible. They may not be obstructed, either. When necessary the driver must wait.
(3) Public buses and marked school buses, approaching at a bus stop (traffic sign 224) with flashers activated may not be overtaken.
(4) Public buses and marked school buses, stopped at a bus stop (traffic sign 224) with flasher activated may only be passed at low speed at such a distance that danger to the bus passengers is impossible. This low speed applies also to opposite traffic on the same roadway. The bus passengers may also not be hindered. When required, the driver must wait.
(5) Public buses and marked school buses must be allowed to depart form a marked bus stop. When necessary other traffic must wait.
(6) Persons who want to use public transportation must wait on walkways, at the side markings of a road or at a bus stop-island, otherwise at the side of the road.
道路交通管理處罰條例 (Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act)
第四十五條(Article 45) A motor vehicle driver with one of the following situations is fined (600 ~ 1800) new Taiwan dollars (TWD):
第十四款(Clause 14) Not yielding with courtesy or slowing down as required when encountering a child-only vehicle or school vehicle.
第六十三條(Article 63)第一項(Section 1) A motor vehicle driver with any of the following situations is demerited points in addition to the fines pursuant to the original article or clause:
第一款(Clauses 1) 1 point is demerited with the situation of Article 45.
第二項(Section 2) No point is demerited if the driver license is already suspended or revoked pursuant to the article or clause in the preceding section.
道路交通安全規則(Road Traffic Safety Rules)第一百零一條(Article 101)第七款(Clause 7) A motor vehicle encountering a child-only vehicle (幼童專用車) (those transporting children < age 7), school vehicle (校車), invalid carriage (殘障用特製車), or driving instruction vehicle (教練車) shall yield with courtesy.
The Australian Road Rules have no provisions on school buses.
Road Transport (Safety and Traffic Management) (Road Rules) Regulation 1999
40 A motor vehicle driver is limited to 40 km/h when overtaking a school bus, whether stationary or in motion, flashing orange lights.
93(6) A 4-way flasher as fitted on a bus driven for school purposes must be operated when the bus is stopped to allow a person to alight from or enter it.
94 A bus must not be driven for school purpose without a warning system that means a system of signs and flashing lights.
道路交通法 (Road Traffic Act)
第71条(Article 71) A vehicle operator must comply with the following:
第二号の二(Item (2-2)) Proceed slowly and verify safety when passing a stopped school bus getting on or off children.
第119条(Article 119)第1項(Paragraph 1) One is imprisoned ≤ P3M or fined ≤ 50000 yen (JPY):
第九号の二(Item (9-2)) For violation of the rule of item (2-2) of Article 71.
New Zealand Legislation: Traffic Regulations 1976: Regulation 21(6) A motor vehicle driver meeting or overtaking a stopped school bus getting on or off school children must drive with due care and pass the bus ≤ 20 km/h.
Highway Code Rule 185 Pass carefully a stopped school bus with markings of a school bus.