Please drive cautiously during morning, noon, and afternoon hours. Do not try to “beat the bus.” Report school bus drivers who are driving in an unsafe manner.
The Law States:
Do not pass any school bus from the rear when the bus has its amber lights flashing.
- Flashing amber lights are a warning that the bus is preparing to stop.
- Reduce Your Speed, and be prepared to stop when approaching a school bus with flashing amber lights on a two-way street.
- Stop from both directions for school buses displaying flashing red lights and an extended stop arm.
Heavy fines are assessed for stop violations.
- These fines were increased in 2012 with the passage of a bill known as “Kadyn’s Law” in memory of Kadyn Halverson, a 7-year-old first-grader from Kensett who was killed by a driver who illegally passed a stopped school bus.
- The new provisions increase the penalties for drivers who fail to abide by the law on stopped school buses (Iowa Code 321.372).
- Previously, a motorist who passed a bus when the red warning lights were flashing was fined $200. The new Iowa law increased the penalty to at least $250 and as high as $675 for a first offense and up to 30 days in jail.
- For subsequent violations, a driver could face fines of up to $1,875.
- A driver who violates the law and causes an injury could face added fines, jail time, and license suspension.
Read more on Iowa School Bus Safety.