It is very important to stop when a school bus has its red lights on and the stop paddle out. This means you must stop if you are behind the bus or coming toward it from the opposite direction. It is a state law that you must stop. There are times when you should not stop, however.

If there is a two way left turn lane in-between you and the school bus you should not stop. If there are lanes of traffic between you and a school bus you should not stop. The school district does not allow students to cross the street when there are more than two lanes on a road. You will be unnecessarily stopping traffic if you stop unless you are in the lane next to the bus.

School starts September 1st so be careful and on the lookout for students near your vehicle. The reduced speed zones near schools are enforced when children are present and they will be around their schools soon.

Watch out for students and stop for school buses except when you are going the opposite direction and there is a lane between you and the bus. If in doubt, please stop. Students may not always watch where they are going and it is up to you to protect them.

Jeanette Burrage
School Bus Driver