As back to school nears, now is a good time to review school bus traffic laws
School will soon be back in session and of course this means children walking, driving and being taken by school buses as they return to the classrooms for another year.
As you share the road with the school buses, keep in mind that they are large, slow moving vehicles that cannot stop on a dime. Be patient and obey the red flashing lights and stop signs which are activated when the bus in loading or unloading children.
In the past we have received complaints of vehicles passing the buses when their red lights are on or speeding past as the yellow warning lights are lit prior to the red stop signal lights. Passing when the red lights are lit is illegal and you can be cited for such action.
According to the Department of Motor Vehicles Drivers Handbook:
You are required to stop for school buses that are loading or unloading students. NRS 484B.353
requires a driver to stop at any location for a school bus displaying a flashing red light signal. You may not attempt to overtake or proceed past the school bus until the bus driver has turned off the flashing red lights. There is one exception to this rule: on divided highways, you are only required to stop when you are traveling in the same direction as the school bus.
Nevada law allows school bus drivers to report violations to the school district and the Department of Motor Vehicles. When this occurs, the registered owner of the vehicle will be sent a warning letter explaining the seriousness of the violation.
— Sgt. Scott McDaniel is with the Carson City Sheriff’s Office and regularly writes public safety columns. He can be reached at smcdaniel@carson.org.