Motorist Rules
Keeping our schoolchildren safe is everyone's responsibility. The Ohio Department of Public Safety has set rules for motorists when encountering yellow school buses.
The law when you encounter a yellow school bus:
- Flashing yellow or amber lights mean the bus is preparing to stop and pick up or discharge students. It is not illegal to pass the bus at this point. Be prepared, the lights may change to red very quickly.
- If you are on a two-lane road, you must stop for a school bus with flashing red lights and the stop arm extended. The driver is in the process of loading or discharging students. The red lights are activated by the door being opened. If you pass at this point, the students are at serious risk of being injured. The driver may report this infraction and you may be ticketed.
- If you are on a four-lane road or divided highway, you don’t have to stop for a school bus with its red lights on. A school-bus driver will never allow students to cross this type of roadway.
- A driver’s open hand in the bus window is a signal to students outside the bus. The driver is not waving at or signaling you.
- It is legal for emergency vehicles with sirens on to carefully pass a stopped school bus with its red lights on.
- A school bus must stop at all railroad crossings. Buses use their yellow hazard lights and set their parking brakes at the crossing. An approaching vehicle may pass the bus at the crossing.
- School buses don’t use warning or hazard lights in a school-loading zone. They always load or unload on the curb side of the school and off the traveled roadway. Please use extra caution in loading zones.
- Obey all loading-zone signs at the schools. The police will ticket you if you park in these designated areas. Many buildings have multiple buses servicing their students. Please be considerate of the students' needs and safety.
Penalties for not obeying these rules could cost you up to $500 and a maximum 1-year suspension of your driver's license (Ohio Revised Code 4511.75).
