Question: With school back in session, can you talk about school bus safety and what motorists need to know?

Answer: School buses have yellow and red lights that flash alternately to warn drivers they are stopping to load or unload students.

Bus drivers will activate flashing yellow lights at least 100 feet before a school bus stops in a speed zone of 35 mph or less. They will activate the lights at least 300 feet before it stops in a speed zone of more than 35 mph. It is against the law to pass on the right side of a school bus while it is displaying red or yellow flashing lights.

Flashing red lights warn drivers that the school bus is loading or unloading students. When you see a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing and its stop arm extended, you must stop your vehicle at least 20 feet from the bus.

Regardless of whether you are facing the front or back of the bus, you must remain stopped until the stop arm is retracted, and the red lights stop flashing. If you don’t, you can be charged with a misdemeanor. If convicted, you must pay a fine of at least $500 and lose your driving privileges.

A portion of state statutes were used with permission from the Office of the Revisor of Statutes. If you have any questions concerning traffic related laws or issues in Minnesota, send your questions to Trp. Jesse Grabow – Minnesota State Patrol at 1000 Highway 10 West, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501-2205.  (You can follow him on Twitter @MSPPIO_NW or reach him at, jesse.grabow@state.mn.us).