School Bus Safety Tips for Motorists

When the lights are flashing don't be passin'

Below is a list of School Bus Safety tips for motorist and state laws with diagrams of when motorist must stop for stopped school buses with the red lights flashing, and stop signs deployed. By educating our community motorist, we can save a life.

Willie Hills
Transportation Director
School Board of Highlands County

School Bus Safety Tips for Motorists

  • Be alert and watch for children especially near schools, bus stops, school buses and in school parking lots.

  • Children on bicycles can be unpredictable and can make sudden changes in direction. Be especially careful when children are present in school zones and residential areas.

  • Pay extra attention to lower speed limits in school zones.

  • Watch for and obey signals from school crossing guards.

  • Only drive or park in authorized areas to drop off or pick up children at school.

  • Motorists are required to stop when approaching a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing and STOP arms extended. (See the different situations in the diagram below)

Two Lane, Multi-Lane Paved Across, Divided Highway Diagram

  • All drivers moving in either direction on a two-way street must stop for a school bus displaying a stop signal, and must remain stopped until the road is clear of children AND the school bus stop arm is withdrawn. (see diagram, TWO-LANE)

  • On a highway divided by a paved median, all drivers moving in either direction must stop for a school bus displaying a stop signal, and must remain stopped until the road is clear of children AND the school bus stop arm is withdrawn. (see diagram, MULTI-LANE)

  • The only time traffic approaching an oncoming school bus does not need to stop, is if there is a raised barrier such as a concrete divider or at least five feet of unpaved space separating the lanes of traffic. (see diagram, DIVIDED HIGHWAY)

  • On a highway divided by a raised barrier or an unpaved median at least 5 feet wide, drivers moving in the opposite direction do not have to stop for the bus (painted lines or pavement markings are not considered barriers). However, these motorists should slow down and watch for students loading or unloading from the bus. (see diagram, DIVIDED HIGHWAY)