Washington School Bus Laws
Remember friends, our summer is winding down and the kids are on their way back to school! You must stop for a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing whether it is on your side of the road, the opposite side of the road or at an intersection you are approaching. You are not required to stop for a school bus with red lights flashing when the stopped school bus is traveling in the opposite direction and the roadway:
– has three or more marked traffic lanes,
– is separated by a median, or
– is separated by a physical barrier.
You should never pass a stopped school bus on the right-hand side.
After the school bus red lights have stopped flashing, watch for children along the side of the road and do not proceed until they have completely left the roadway. The risk of injuring a child crossing the road is increased during the loading and unloading of a school bus. Be alert for children that may try to return to the bus after unloading.
Fines are doubled for anyone that passes a stopped school bus. The penalty for failing to stop for a stopped school bus may not be waived, reduced, or suspended.
We all want our kids to be safe as they head back to school. Bellingham schools are back in session Wednesday August 28th, as did the schools in Lynden, Blaine, Ferndale and the rest of Whatcom County.
Stay safe my friends!
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