Motorists are Reminded of School Bus Safety

Scotch Plains police are reporting an increased number of incidents in which motorists are ignoring the flashing lights of school buses.  School bus drivers use the lights to inform motorists that students may be crossing the street and, therefore, must stop.

All school buses are equipped with these flashing lights and a stop arm to alert motorists when to stop. Yellow lights will begin to flash to warn drivers that a bus is approaching a stop. This is your signal to slow down and prepare to stop.

Buses are also equipped with flashing red lights. Motorists approaching a school bus from either direction with flashing red lights must stop at least 25 feet away from the bus. If you are driving on the opposite side of the road with a median in the middle, you must then slow down to 10 mph.

Do not pass a bus in either direction when its stop arm is extended. However, if the bus has stopped in front of a school, you may then pass it from either direction at no more than 10 mph.

Scotch Plains police underscore that it is very important for motorists to pay attention and follow all traffic rules when driving around school buses.