When do I need to stop for a school bus in Ohio? Here's when to stop and when you can go
With school beginning for many central Ohio districts next week, thousands of schoolchildren will be out along the road, waiting for their buses.
That means drivers need to be aware of when they are required to stop for school buses when they see those amber and red lights on the road.
Here's a refresher on state law:
What to know about Ohio school bus laws for drivers
Amber lights: A bus is planning to come to a stop.
Red lights and stop arm: The bus is stopping.
On a road with fewer than four lanes, all traffic approaching a stopped school bus from either direction must completely stop at least 10 feet from the front or rear of the bus and remain stopped until the bus begins to move or the bus driver signals motorists to proceed.
If the bus is stopped on a street with four or more lanes, only traffic proceeding in the same direction as the bus must stop.
What are the penalties if I fail to stop for a bus?
Bus drivers are encouraged to report drivers who fail to stop if they can read their license plates. According to the Ohio Revised Code, motorists may receive up to a $500 fine and possibly get their licenses suspended for up to a year for failure to stop.
More: The bus driver shortage is here to stay. Are Columbus-area schools ready for Day 1?
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio school bus laws: When do I need to stop, and when can I go?
