when do you have to stop for a school bus?

As kids head back to school in many districts across Iowa today, drivers need to pay extra attention to the rules of the roads and be on the look-out for school buses, pedestrians, and students riding their bikes to and from school.

1.  Make sure to slow down in school zones - know the times of day that the reduced speed limits are in effect.  If you travel through a school zone on your commute, plan to give yourself a few extra minutes due to increased traffic and a slower speed limit.  Speeding tickets are double what you would normally pay in some school zones.

2.  Pedestrians have the right-of-way at all crosswalks and intersections - be on the look-out for kids crossing at unmarked crosswalks as well.  Not all schools have crossing guards directing students/parents when to cross the street.

3.  Make sure to slow down or stop for school buses.  If you encounter a school bus with its yellow lights flashing, you must slow down and go no faster than 20 mph.  If the red lights are flashing or the stop arm is out, you must stop at least 15 feet from the school bus.  You must remain stopped while the lights are flashing and the stop arm is out.  After a school bus has stopped to let students off, watch for children on the side of the road.  

When do you have to stop for a school bus?  

SCENARIO 1: YOU ARE TRAVELING ON A TWO- OR THREE-LANE ROAD
When you are approaching the bus from the rear: When you see flashing red or yellow warning lights, you are not permitted to pass the school bus and you should be prepared to stop. Stop behind the school bus when the school bus stops and the stop arm is extended. Stop no closer than 15 feet from the rear of the bus, and remain stopped until the stop arm is retracted and school bus starts moving again. Proceed with caution.

When you are meeting the bus from the front: When you see yellow warning lights flashing you must slow your vehicle to no more than 20 mph and be prepared to stop. Stop in front of the school bus when the school bus stops and its stop arm is extended. Remain stopped until the stop arm is retracted. Proceed with caution.
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SCENARIO 2: YOU ARE TRAVELING ON A ROAD WITH TWO OR MORE LANES IN EACH DIRECTION

​When you are approaching the bus from the rear:  When approaching from the rear, the rules are the same as for a two- or three- lane road. When you see flashing red or yellow warning lights, you are not permitted to pass the school bus and should be prepared to stop. Stop behind the school bus when the school bus stops and its stop arm is extended. Stop no closer than 15 feet from the rear of the bus, and remain stopped until the stop arm is retracted and school bus starts moving again. Proceed with caution.

When you are meeting the bus from the front: When meeting the bus in one of the opposite two lanes (or more), you do not need to stop, even if the bus has stopped with lights flashing and stop arm out. The bus is not permitted to load or unload children who must cross this type of roadway, unless there are official traffic control devices or law enforcement present. This is the only time you may pass a school bus that is stopped and has its stop arm extended.