September 2006

Vehicles must stop for school buses displaying flashing lights

In their rush to get to classes in the morning and home in the afternoon, children sometimes dart into traffic when they get on and off school buses. To prevent a tragedy, motorists need to be extremely cautious when driving near school buses and obey laws designed to protect bus riders.

According to Wisconsin law, when approaching a school bus from the front or rear, drivers must stop at least 20 feet from the bus when it is stopped and displaying flashing red lights. Drivers cannot proceed until after the bus resumes its route or turns off the flashing red warning lights. Drivers on the other side of a divided highway from a bus with flashing red lights are not required to stop. Drivers also may not pass a stopped school bus in order to make a right turn.

"Officers from the State Patrol and other agencies stringently enforce laws requiring motorists to stop for school buses with flashing red lights," says State Patrol Superintendent David Collins. "Besides law enforcement officers, school bus drivers legally may report any violations involving passing or turning in front of their buses. The owner of the vehicle, who might not be the offending driver, will then be responsible for paying the citation."

A citation for failure of a vehicle to stop for a school bus costs $312 and four demerit points. A citation for an illegal right turn in front of a stopped school bus costs $312 and three demerit points. If reported by a school bus driver, the vehicle owner's liability for the illegal passing of a bus will cost $312 with no demerit points.

"Violations of school bus safety laws are serious and expensive for a very good reason. Drivers must always be aware that children might not be paying attention and don't see oncoming vehicles when they get on or off a bus." says Superintendent Collins. "As we start another school year, drivers need to remember to stop when they approach a bus with flashing red lights."

For more information, contact Superintendent Collins of the Wisconsin State Patrol Division Headquarters in Madison at (608) 266-3212 or your local State Patrol district office.