By Rich Larson
With students across the area returning to school, Rice County Sheriff Jesse Thomas is reminding drivers to slow down, pay attention and stop when they see a school bus with its red lights flashing.
And this year, Minnesota law has changed to make the requirement even clearer.
Under a law signed by Governor Tim Walz in March, drivers approaching a stopped school bus must stop at least 20 feet away whenever the bus is displaying flashing red lights. Previously, the law required both the red lights to be flashing and the bus’s stop-signal arm to be extended. The new law removes the stop-arm requirement, meaning drivers must stop for the flashing red lights even if the stop arm has not yet fully extended.
Thomas said there is no longer any question about when a driver is required to stop.
“If the red lights are flashing, you must stop,” he said. “There’s not a loophole that, ‘Oh, hey, I didn’t think our stop arm was all the way out.’”
The change was approved by the Minnesota Legislature this spring and took effect following its enactment in March. Amber flashing lights continue to serve as a warning that the bus is preparing to stop and that the red lights will soon be activated.
Thomas said drivers need to remember that the purpose of the law is to protect children who may be entering or crossing the roadway.
He also pointed out that violating the school bus stop law is not a minor traffic offense. The minimum fine for failing to stop is $500, and more serious violations can carry additional penalties.
Enforcement is also becoming easier. Thomas said cameras installed on school buses can capture vehicles that illegally pass, and that video can be used by law enforcement to identify and prosecute drivers.
With buses once again traveling their daily routes, Thomas said motorists should leave themselves enough time, watch for flashing lights and be prepared to stop.
A school bus may delay a driver for a minute or two, but Thomas said protecting the children getting on and off that bus is far more important.
Rich Larson is the owner and General Manager of KYMN Radio. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
