Driving Around School Buses: Best Safety Practices
April 23, 2025
One of the most important rules drivers need to follow is how to safely navigate around school buses. School buses are a common sight in neighborhoods, but driving around them can be tricky if you're not aware of the rules.
Following the law and practicing safe driving around school buses helps keep kids safe and avoids costly traffic law violations that can lead to license suspension or hefty fines.
In New York, the traffic law surrounding school buses is strict because children’s safety is the top priority. Whether you're driving through a school zone, a residential area, or just happen to be behind a bus on your commute, it's vital to follow the safety guidelines. Here, I’ll walk you through the best practices for driving around school buses to make sure you're staying safe and abiding by the law.
What You Need to Know About New York’s School Bus Laws
New York has clear rules for how drivers should interact with school buses. Understanding these laws is crucial not only to avoid penalties but also to protect children.
When to Stop for a School Bus
A primary traffic law drivers must follow is when to stop for a school bus. In New York, when a school bus has its red lights flashing, you’re required to stop—no exceptions. This rule applies whether you're driving behind the bus, approaching it from the opposite direction, or passing it.
If you're behind the bus – You must stop at least 20 feet away from the bus. Don’t move forward until the red lights are turned off, and the bus begins to move.
If you're approaching the bus from the opposite direction – On a two-lane road, you must stop for a school bus with flashing red lights. The only time you don't have to stop is if there is a divided highway separating you from the bus.
On a divided highway – If the road is divided by a physical barrier (e.g., a median), cars traveling in the opposite direction don’t need to stop for a school bus. However, those traveling in the same direction must still stop.
Penalties for Not Stopping for a School Bus
Failing to stop for a school bus when its red lights are flashing comes with serious penalties.
Fines – You could face fines up to $400 for the first offense, and fines can increase for subsequent violations.
Points on your license – A conviction adds 5 points to your driving record. Accumulating too many points could lead to a suspension of your driver’s license.
Possible jail time – In extreme cases, you could face up to 30 days in jail.
It's not just a financial issue—it's about keeping children safe. If you’re caught violating this law, it could lead to more than just fines; your actions could impact the safety of kids getting on and off the bus.
What to Do When School Buses Have Yellow Flashing Lights
Before the red lights start flashing, school buses often activate their yellow flashing lights to indicate they’re preparing to stop and let children off. This is your signal to slow down and be prepared to stop.
Slow down – As soon as you see the yellow lights flashing, begin slowing down, even if you’re a few car lengths away.
Prepare to stop – Even though yellow lights don’t require you to stop, it’s important to be ready to halt when the red lights come on. This helps you avoid last-minute braking when the bus stops.
By paying attention to yellow lights, you can make sure you’re driving safely and not rushing when the bus finally stops.
Watch for Pedestrians Getting On and Off Buses
When children are getting on or off the bus, they may not be as cautious as they should be. This is why you should always be extra careful when driving near a school bus. Kids often forget to check for oncoming traffic before crossing the street, and they may dart out from behind the bus. Here are some safe driving practices to adapt around buses:
Look for children – Always be on the lookout for children near the bus. They might cross in front or behind the bus unexpectedly.
Wait until all children are safely across – Don’t drive away from the stop until you’ve checked that all children are safely out of the road.
Watch for signs of a bus moving – If you’re in a hurry, don’t be tempted to pass the bus when it’s moving or the lights aren’t flashing. Always stay cautious and wait until the bus signals it’s safe to proceed.
Being aware of the potential for children to be running around helps prevent accidents. Never assume that the kids will be paying attention—your vigilance can save lives.
How to Safely Pass a School Bus
Passing a school bus isn’t something that should be done unless you’re certain it's safe. New York law is clear about this: passing a bus with its lights flashing is illegal. However, in some instances, there may be situations when you need to pass a bus, like if you're on a multi-lane road with the bus in a separate lane. If you’re wondering when it’s acceptable to pass a school bus, here are some times you’re able to:
On a divided highway – If the highway has a physical barrier (a median or other separation) between lanes, you may pass the bus when it’s stopped. In these cases, you don’t need to stop if the bus is in the opposite lane.
When the lights are off – If the red lights are no longer flashing, you’re allowed to pass the bus. However, always make sure no children are crossing.
You should never pass a bus when the red lights are flashing, even if you're in a hurry. It’s better to be delayed than to risk a serious accident or ticket.
Safe Driving in School Zones
School zones can be tricky, especially during drop-off and pick-up times. Drivers need to stay alert when they enter these zones because children may be crossing the road or getting off buses. New York has specific laws to protect children in school zones. Drivers must follow these steps to drive safely in school zones:
Slow down – In most school zones, the speed limit is reduced to 20 mph during school hours. This is to give you more time to react if a child suddenly steps onto the road.
Pay attention to crossing guards – Crossing guards are there to help children cross the road safely. Always stop for them, even if you don’t see children crossing.
Stop for buses in school zones – When a school bus is in a school zone, the same rules apply as they do on other roads. Stop for flashing red lights and wait for the bus to start moving again before proceeding.
School zones are areas of higher pedestrian traffic, so it’s important to exercise extreme caution, follow speed limits, and be patient.
Eliminate Distractions Driving Around School Buses
One of the most important things you can do as a driver is to eliminate distractions when driving around school buses. Distractions can cause accidents, and in school zones or around buses, the stakes are even higher. Common distractions to avoid are:
Using your phone – Texting or talking on your phone while driving is dangerous and illegal in many areas. Keep your phone out of reach when you’re near a school bus.
Eating or drinking – Eating while driving might seem harmless, but it can divert your attention away from the road. Save your snacks for when you're not behind the wheel.
Adjusting the radio – It's easy to get distracted by music, but when you're driving around school buses, you need your full attention on the road.
Distractions reduce your reaction time, and with children near school buses, that extra time could mean the difference between preventing an accident and causing one.
Contact Us Today
Following the traffic law around school buses is crucial for the safety of our children. When you need help with traffic violations, call Michael Kuzma Attorney at Law. I assist drivers ticketed in New York State. If you need help with a traffic law violation or have questions about driving safely around school buses, don’t hesitate to call my office today.