01/16/2024
Flashing Amber lights on a school bus are a signal the school bus is preparing to stop to pick up or drop off children, so drivers need to slow down, pay attention, and proceed carefully. There is no statement on timing, it’s based on distance. Nor is there any statement on waiting for vehicles to pass if the warning light have been activated. The law is quite clear that vehicles must yield to a school bus, 364.48(1), not the other way around. Similar to when a vehicle must pull over for an emergency vehicle with lights flashing, the yellow school bus has the same priority. Once the bus displays the flashing red warning lights, drivers both in front and behind the bus must stop at least 20 feet from the bus and remain stopped until the red lights are turned off, or the bus resumes travel. Drivers must stop even if the red stop-sign arm on the side of the bus is not extended.
The citation for illegally passing a school bus costs a minimum of $326.50 and adds four demerit points on a driver’s license. When they are passed illegally, school bus drivers are authorized to report the violator to a law enforcement agency and a citation may be issued.
