School Bus Stop-Arm Rules for Amber or Yellow Lights on Buses
You probably see school buses on the roads daily. When the amber lights are flashing, the bus driver is signaling that the bus will soon come to a complete stop to let students on or off.
School Bus Stop-Arm Rules for Red Lights on Buses
Drivers must stop if the school bus’s red lights are flashing. Drivers tend to impulsively speed up in an attempt to pass school buses before the arm is fully extended. This is a mistake. While the red lights are flashing, drivers need to bring the vehicle to a complete stop behind the school bus. Drivers who speed past a school bus will not avoid a ticket.
The Stop-Arm
Police actively seek out stop-arm violators. Drivers break the law if they do not stop immediately. It’s similar to driving through a red stop-light in a school zone. The stop-arm is a symbol of trust to the child crossing. Therefore, drivers who ignore the stop-arm violate that trust and endanger children. As a result, cars traveling in both directions must stop. Furthermore, the number of traffic lanes is irrelevant. All traffic must stop for the school bus.
The Median
Sometimes there is a median or physical barrier separating two lanes of traffic in opposing directions. Traffic on the opposite side of the road may be permitted to continue depending on the law in your state.
The Cost of a Violation
Finally, the human cost is most important. Every time a driver violates the stop-arm, he or she is putting a child at risk. Every year, children die from stop-arm violations. Illegally passing a stopped school bus can carry a fine of anywhere between $500 to $1,200. The driver could also lose their license depending on state law.
You must stop at least thirty feet from a stopped school bus that is loading or unloading children. This is required by law whether you are meeting the bus or traveling behind it. You do not have to stop when the bus is stopped in a loading zone completely off the roadway and where the pedestrians are not allowed to cross the roadway. When a school bus is stopped in opposite lanes on a roadway separated by a ditch, grassy median, elevated concrete barrier or any obstacle that prevents traffic from driving thereon, you are not required to stop. Drivers must stop for a stopped school bus when traveling on four lane or five lane roadways which are not separated by any barriers. When you have stopped, you must not proceed until the bus moves again or the visual warning signals are no longer in use.
For more information, please visit: https://www.drive-safely.net/school-bus-laws/
Louisiana Specific School Bus Laws
You must stop at least thirty feet from a stopped school bus that is loading or unloading children. All 50 states have a law that makes it illegal to pass a school bus that is loading or unloading children. Always be prepared to stop when lights are flashing. Bus drivers will activate the flashing yellow lights of the bus at least 100 feet but no more than 500 feet before the school bus stop. As the bus comes to a complete stop, the flashing red lights and stop signs will activate. Wait for the vehicle to move and scan before starting to drive again. This is required by law whether you are meeting the bus or traveling behind it.
You do not have to stop when the bus is stopped in a loading zone completely off the roadway and where the pedestrians are not allowed to cross the roadway. If you are following a bus, increase your following distance in order to get a better view. Anticipate the bus stopping at its’ pickup and drop off points. Never pass a bus with its red lights flashing on the right or on the left. Buses typically travel at lower rates of speed and make frequent stops. During the school year school buses are most likely to be on the road during a three hour period in the morning and a three hour period in the afternoon
When a school bus is stopped in opposite lanes on a roadway separated by a ditch, grassy median, elevated concrete barrier or any obstacle that prevents traffic from driving thereon, you are not required to stop. Drivers are also not required to stop for a stopped school bus when traveling on four lane or five lane roadways which are separated by a dedicated two-way left turn lane. Drivers must stop on a four lane roadway when it is not separated by a barrier.
