WE REMIND DRIVERS TO STOP FOR SCHOOL BUSES, IT'S THE LAW!!!

The CHP reminds all drivers, when a school bus flashes red lights (located at the top front and back of the bus), you must stop from either direction until the children are safely across the street and the lights stop flashing.   

The law requires you remain stopped as long as the red lights are flashing.  If you fail to stop, you may be fined up to $1,000, and your driving privilege could be suspended for one year.  Yellow flashing lights on a school bus warn a driver to slow down and prepare to stop.  If the school bus is on the other side of a divided or multi-lane highway (two or more lanes in each direction), you do not need to stop.

The motorist on the picture fail to stop, now that children are back in school. We all must pay attention to big yellow buses. 

FOR ANY EMERGENCY CONTACT : 911

Photo Courtswy Of : Mary Muñoz

Mary, has seen many cars that are not stopping, since school started. She is worried for the safety of all the children. She shared a picture of a driver, who did not stopped. 

IT'S THE LAW

Every one of the 50 States has a law making it illegal to pass a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended that is stopped to load or unload students. However, some motorists simply choose to ignore the law. 

• They might be coming toward the bus, decide that no students are crossing the road, and just keep going.

• They might be behind the bus, pull into the left lane, and go around the bus.

• They might be behind the bus, pull onto the shoulder, and pass the bus on the right. 

All States require the traffic in both directions to stop on undivided highway when students are getting on or off a school bus. While wording varies from State to State, generally the law requires the following.

The school bus driver activates flashing yellow lights to indicate the school bus is preparing to stop to load or unload students. At this point, motorists should slow down and prepare to stop. The school bus driver activates flashing red lights and extends the stop arm to indicate the school bus has stopped and students are getting on or off. At this point, motorists should stop.

State law varies in what is required on a divided highway and what constitutes a divided highway. However, in all cases on divided highways, traffic behind the bus must stop.

SOURCES: CHP/NHTSA