With schools soon to be back in session, I want to remind everyone about the Washington, DC law that requires you to stop for school buses. Below you will find pictures explaining what to do on 4 different types of roads if you approach a school bus at a stop. If you have questions, please ask me or your host parents.
The rules regarding stopping for school buses are:
- It is against the law to pass a stopped school bus while its lights are flashing and its’ stop arm is extended.
- On undivided roadways, with no physical barrier or median, vehicles must stop on both sides of the roadway.
- Yellow flashing lights indicate that the bus is preparing to load or unload children. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop their vehicles.
- Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate that the bus has stopped, and children are getting on or off. Motorists approaching from either direction must wait until the red lights stop flashing before proceeding.
Police, who observe a motorist failing to stop and remain stopped for a school bus, can issue the violator a citation which carries a $500 fine. There are also cameras on buses and the camera-generated fine is $500. Drivers failing to stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk can also be issued a citation. These fines are subject to change and could increase. I am sharing them for your information.