Have you ever wondered about the rules for stopping when encountering a school bus? If so, you’re not alone. Familiarizing yourself with the proper protocols mandated by Minnesota law is essential to ensure the safety of children on school buses and to avoid the potential criminal consequences of failing to stop when legally required to do so.
According to Minnesota Statute 169.444 subdivision 1, when a school bus comes to a stop on a street or highway with its stop arm extended and flashing red lights activated, approaching drivers must stop their vehicles at least 20 feet away from the bus. To put this distance into perspective, it’s approximately the length of two kayaks placed together. Drivers must remain stopped until the stop arm is retracted, and the flashing lights are turned off. Additionally, under subdivision 1a, drivers may not pass a school bus on the right-hand, passenger-door side when prewarning flashing amber signals are actively employed. These requirements apply unless the driver is on the other side of a separated roadway from the school bus. A separated roadway requires a median or safety barrier between the roads.
A violation of either of these provisions carries a range of penalties, depending on the circumstances. The owner of a vehicle can be even liable for a violation committed by another person driving their vehicle. What’s more, if a peace officer has probable cause to believe that a driver has violated either subdivision 1 or 1a of Minnesota Statute 169.444 within the past four hours, the driver can be arrested. Probable cause exists when there is a reasonable basis, based on facts and other evidence, to believe that a crime may have been committed.
With this knowledge in mind, the next time you encounter a school bus on the road, you can approach the situation with confidence, ensuring the safety of children and demonstrating a conscientious commitment to responsible driving.