CHP to target Stanislaus drivers who don’t stop for school bus flashing lights
Drivers should know that when school bus red lights are flashing, it’s illegal to pass.
The California law is designed to protect children who are getting on or off a school bus. Motorists in either direction must stop until children have safely crossed the street and the school bus lights stop flashing.
Tuesday, California Highway Patrol officers will ride on school buses in Stanislaus County to watch for motorists not obeying the law. The enforcement operation will target drivers who don’t stop when the bus’ red lights are flashing. Some buses have a stop arm extended to alert motorists that children will be crossing the street.
According to a CHP news release, the enforcement operation Tuesday will be in the Oakdale area. Officers on board school buses will talk with colleagues in patrol cars nearby to identify violators.
Drivers who illegally pass a school bus will be pulled over and given a traffic citation or warning. “This project is designed to educate and remind motorists, parents and students of the importance of school bus pedestrian safety.,” the news release said.
The CHP did not refer to traffic incident data in announcing the operation Monday.
Penalties for not stopping when a school bus is loading or unloading children are a $150 to $250 fine for a first offense. Multiple violations may result in fines up to $1,000 and suspension of driving privileges.
In October 2024, an extreme case of driver inattention occurred when a Honda sedan stopped behind a school bus, with red lights flashing, on a rural part of Crows Landing Road west of Turlock. The driver of a big rig did not see the stopped vehicles in time and struck the Honda before running into the left rear of the school bus, which was filled with elementary-age children, the CHP said.
Students on the bus suffered minor injuries. The truck driver and driver of the Honda were taken to a local hospital.
The CHP reminded the public about rules of the road and pedestrian safety:
- Yellow flashing lights on a school bus are a warning to motorists to slow down and prepare to stop.
- Drivers should be alert when children are standing at a school bus stop because kids are unpredictable and may not recognize traffic risks.
- Children who must cross the street to get on a bus need to wait for the bus driver to signal it’s safe to cross.
- Children should look to the right before stepping off the bus in case a vehicle is passing on the right.
- Drivers should slow down for school zones, especially when children are arriving for school or leaving after school.
- Parents should be mindful to teach pedestrian safety to their school-age children.
- No running games or pushing and shoving at the bus stop.
- Use the sidewalk while walking to or from school. If there are no sidewalks in the neighborhood, walk single file, facing traffic. Stay on the shoulder away from the road.
This story was originally published September 22, 2025 at 1:44 PM.
