The laws that regulate the operation of motor vehicles in school zones vary slightly from state to state (you can find the specifics in your lesson plans), but they always involve slowing down. Motorists should always obey posted reduced-speed limits in these areas, and should always follow the instructions of crossing guards. Codified regulations are no substitute for good, old-fashioned common sense, however: In these situations, drivers simply need to slow down and watch carefully for kids darting in front of the vehicle!
Likewise, the requirements for yielding to school buses, and the punishments for non-compliance, vary by state (again, refer to your lesson plan for the complete details):
- California: When approaching from any direction a school bus that is loading or unloading schoolchildren and has its flashing red lights (and stop signal arm, if so equipped) displayed, drivers must bring their vehicles to a complete stop before passing the bus. Drivers may not proceed until the flashing red light signal (and stop signal arm, if so equipped) cease operation. Drivers who approach a school bus while traveling in the opposite direction on a divided highway or multi-lane (two or more lanes in each direction) highway do not need stop for the bus, but should proceed with extreme caution.
- Florida: When approaching from any direction on a public or private road a stopped school bus with flashing red lights and an extended stop arm, drivers must bring their vehicle to a stop and remain stopped until all children are clear and the bus has resumed forward motion. Drivers who are traveling on the opposite side of a divided roadway (separated from the bus by an unpaved space of at least five feet, a raised median, or a physical barrier) are not required to stop.
- Michigan: Drivers should be extremely careful around a school bus that has stopped to load or unload children:
- When a school bus's overhead lights are flashing yellow, motorists should prepare to stop.
- When a bus's overhead lights are flashing red, motorists must come to a full stop no closer than 20 feet from the bus until the bus resumes motion or the red lights are deactivated.
- When a bus's yellow hazard lights are flashing, motorists should proceed with caution.
- New Jersey: When approaching from any direction on a public or private road a stopped school bus that has its red signal lights flashing and is loading or unloading passengers, drivers must stop at least 25 feet away and remain stopped until all children are clear and the bus has resumed forward motion. Drivers traveling on the opposite side of a divided highway (separated from the other side by a safety island or other physical barrier) are not required to stop, but should proceed at no more than 10 mph until they are clear of the bus and any children.
- New York: When approaching from any direction on a public or private road a stopped school bus that has its red signal lights flashing and is loading or unloading passengers, drivers must stop at least 20 feet away from the bus and remain stopped until all children are clear and the bus has resumed forward motion.
- North Dakota: When a school bus is stopped to load or unload passengers, and its flashing red lights and/or stop sign control arm are activated, drivers approaching from both directions must stop before reaching the bus. Drivers should remain stopped until the bus has resumed forward motion, until the bus driver signals other vehicles to pass, or until the bus's red lights are deactivated. Drivers traveling on the opposite roadway of a divided highway are not required to stop, but are advised to proceed with caution.
- Virginia: When approaching from any direction on a public or private road a stopped school bus with flashing red lights and an extended stop arm, drivers must stop and remain stopped until all children are clear and the bus has resumed forward motion. Drivers traveling on the opposite side of a divided highway (separated from the bus by a physical barrier or an unpaved median strip) are not required to stop.
