Bus Routes

When to Stop for a School Bus

Please be advised that Clintondale School District and many other school districts in the state continue to use RED LIGHT STOPS throughout the district. When a school bus is performing a RED LIGHT STOP, the driver will activate the overhead AMBER lights 200 feet before arriving at the bus stop. When the bus comes to a stop and the driver determines it is appropriate to do so, they will open the door, which activates the overhead RED lights and the STOP SIGN on the driver side of the bus. Motorists approaching the bus from either direction MUST stop not less than 20 feet from the bus and not proceed until after the overhead RED LIGHTS have been turned off.

The probable causes confusion for the average motorist is the uncertainty of what action you should take when you see the overhead AMBER LIGHTS. According to the State Police, an AMBER or YELLOW traffic signal requires that you prepare to STOP, however, many of us see the AMBER or YELLOW traffic signal and decide to speed up and get through before it turns to RED; which creates an environment for an accident. The OVERHEAD lights on a school bus are a traffic signal and should be treated as such.

On roads where we feel it is prudent to do so, we have implemented the use of HAZARD LIGHT STOPS. There are criteria in the law which helps us to determine where we should implement those stops; one of which is that students DO NOT CROSS THE ROADWAY. Not all MAIN roads meet that criteria and not all school districts have implemented HAZARD LIGHT STOPS, so motorists need to pay attention.

As always, it is the motorist’s responsibility to know the law and to be attentive to your surroundings. A school bus is a moving traffic signal. The best way to remember your responsibilities is keeping in mind that when you see flashing lights on TOP (overhead flashing AMBER/RED lights) you must STOP. When the flashing lights are LOW (AMBER hazard lights) you should proceed, but SLOW.

The low HAZARD lights on a school bus are not a traffic signal. They are an indicator; not unlike any yellow road sign that signals the motorist to slow down and proceed with caution.

Remember,

"Lights on TOP, be prepared to STOP. Lights down LOW; proceed, but SLOW.”