When must you stop for a school bus in Kansas? Here’s what state law says
With the holiday season over, school buses are back on Kansas roads, shuttling thousands of students each day. But many drivers are failing to stop for them, a survey from the state indicates.
About 2,700 buses from 184 Kansas school districts participated in a one-day survey last year to see how many times people violated the school bus stop arm laws. In a single day, there were 882 violations, the state department of education reported.
If you want to avoid being among those violating stop arm laws, we’ve put together a quick guide on what to know, from the Kansas State Department of Education.
When do I need to stop for school bus in Kansas?
All motorists are required to stop for a school bus when its lights are flashing and its arm is extended. Failure to do so can result in a fine and court costs exceeding $420, according to the state agency.
The laws apply no matter how many lanes there are in each direction, unless there is a median separating the flows of traffic. If there is a median, only the cars behind the school bus are required to stop.
On roadways where traffic both directions share a turn lane and four-lane roads separated by a double yellow line, all traffic must stop.
Tips to keep your children safe while getting on and off the bus
If you have a student who uses the bus to get to and from school, here are some best practices on how to stay safe while commuting, from the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration:
Stand at least five steps away from the curb
Wait until the bus completely stops before approaching
Face forward when sitting on the bus
Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before exiting
Look both ways before walking across the street after exiting
