STOP! Back-to-School Means Be Alert For Stopped School Buses

In New York State, following the rules regarding school buses isn’t optional; it’s crucial for keeping kids safe. You must stop if you see a school bus with its red lights flashing and a stop sign extended. This applies to everyone, regardless of the road type.

According to the New York State DMV, on two-lane highways, the rule is simple: both directions of traffic must stop when a bus is picking up or dropping off kids. It doesn’t matter if you’re behind the bus or coming from the opposite direction—everyone stops. This allows kids to cross the road safely if needed.

On one-lane roads, where there’s typically a single lane in each direction, the rule is the same. Whether you're in front of or behind the bus, you must stop when the red lights are flashing. Even if it feels like there’s no way a child would cross your path, stopping is non-negotiable.

And let’s talk about the fines. If you pass a stopped school bus, expect to pay a fine ranging from $250 to $400 for your first offense. After that, the penalties increase, with fines potentially reaching $1,000. Plus, you’ll be hit with 5 points on your license, and you could even face jail time, which is up to 30 days for the first offense, and more for repeat offenses.

Remember, kids can be unpredictable when they’re getting on and off the bus. Slowing down and stopping is the safest choice, and it’s the law.