Ask a Trooper: Do not pass bus when red lights flashing

Q: I occasionally see drivers who seem to get confused as to exactly what they are required to do when they come across a school bus with yellow or red lights flashing. With school starting again could you review what is required of drivers.

A: With the beginning of the school year this would be a good review for us all. The purpose of the flashing yellow lights is to warn drivers the school bus is preparing to stop to pick up or drop off students. The school bus driver is required to activate the yellow flashing lights at least 100 feet before stopping in a speed zone of 35 mph or less, and at least 300 feet before stopping in a speed zone of more than 35 mph. When stopped to load or unload students, the bus driver is then required to activate the flashing red lights, and extend the stop arm. There are some exceptions as to when the school bus driver is required to activate the flashing lights. For example, if the bus is completely off the traveled portion of the roadway the flashing lights are not required. The shoulder is off the traveled portion of the roadway.

When seeing a school bus with its yellow lights flashing, drivers from either direction should prepare to stop. It is illegal to pass a school bus on the right side of the bus when the flashing yellow lights are activated. When the bus is stopped with its flashing red lights activated and stop arm extended, traffic from both directions must stop at least 20 feet away from the bus. The driver shall not move the vehicle again until the stop arm is retracted and the red lights are no longer flashing. The only time you are not required to stop for a school bus with its red lights flashing is when the bus is on a separate roadway. Separate roadway means a road that is separated from a parallel road by a safety isle, concrete divider, or a median type of barrier.

Violating this law is a misdemeanor if there are no children around the bus when it occurred and a gross misdemeanor if there were children around the bus. A fine of not less than $300, to a fine of $3000 and one year in jail, along with driver’s license suspension, can result for violating this law.

Sgt. Mark Baker is a member of the Minnesota State Patrol.

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