Gloucester Township Police Monthly Traffic Tip: Stop for School Buses With Flashing Red Lights

As part of the Gloucester Township Police Departments efforts to promote traffic safety and educate drivers on safe driving practices, we will be promoting a monthly driving topic from the New Jersey Driver Manual. This month’s topic focuses on stopping for school buses.

Stop For School Buses

A motorist must stop for a school bus with flashing red lights. State law requires motorist to stop at least 25 feet away if he/she is travelling on a two lane road or on a multi-lane highway where lanes are only separated by lines or on a privately maintained road. When travelling on a dual-lane highway, a motorist should slow to 10 mph if on the other side of a safety island or raised median.

School buses are equipped with yellow or amber and red flashing lights. The yellow lights go on before the bus stops and the red flashing lights go on when it has stopped. However, a motorist should not depend on these lights, if driving behind a school bus. They could be malfunctioning.

When a bus stops, all motorist travelling behind or approaching it must stop their vehicles at least 25 feet away. A motorist should only proceed after the bus signals have been turned off, and even then, he/she must watch for children. If a school bus has stopped directly in front of a school to pick up or let off children, a motorist may pass from either direction at a speed of no more than 10 mph.

Additional information can also be found at www.njmvc.gov or by contacting the Gloucester Township Police Traffic Services Bureau at 856-374-5715 or by email at police@gtpolice.com.

The complete electronic version of the driver manual can be found at http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/About/manuals.htm. Paper copies can be obtained from your local motor vehicle commission facility.

Press release from the Gloucester Township Police Department

The attached photo was provided by the Gloucester Township Police Department