Drivers in Florida traveling in either direction on a road must stop when approaching a school bus that is stopped with red lights flashing and a STOP arm extended.
The only exception would be when motorists are in the opposite lanes from the bus and the lanes are divided by a barrier that is raised, like a concrete divider. Drivers wouldn’t have to stop for a bus in this situation. The presence of a natural barrier (unpaved median) of five feet across or more would also mean oncoming traffic would not have to stop.
When Do I Have to Stop for a Florida School Bus?
A school bus with flashing lights should prompt drivers to slow down, no matter where they are in relation to the bus. A school bus that has stopped and has lights flashing and a sign extended means that almost all drivers (even those in oncoming lanes) must stop.
It’s a simple rule to follow, but there are still too many accidents involving school buses in the Sunshine State. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reports that Florida saw over 1,900 school bus accidents in 2022. Broward County and Fort Lauderdale recorded 248 school bus accidents.
Florida Motor Vehicle Statute 316.172 explains the duty of drivers around a school bus. The FLHSMV also goes over the responsibility of drivers around a stopped bus and around children boarding or getting off the bus.
“Motorists are required to stop when approaching a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing and STOP arms extended.”
- All motorists on a two-way street must stop and remain stopped until all children are out of the road and the school bus STOP arm is retracted.
- All drivers on a multi-lane road separated by a turn lane, (any paved median that is not raised) must also stop for a stopped school bus with flashing lights and an extended STOP arm.
- Drivers in the opposite lanes of a divided highway don’t need to stop for a school bus if there’s a raised median (E.G., a concrete median) separating them from the school bus. A natural median that is 5ft wide or wider would also mean drivers in the opposite lane wouldn’t have to stop.
- However, drivers should still slow down when a bus is across the median from them and monitor for any children in the roadway. Motorists must still be ready to stop.
No Holding Cell Phones in School Zones – To prevent school bus accidents and pedestrian accidents around schools, Florida motorists are also prohibited from holding a cell phone while in a school zone or at a school crossing. All cell phone use must be hands-free.
What Happens to Me If a Pass a Stopped School Bus in Florida?
The FLHSMV goes over the penalties for drivers who pass a stopped school bus. Guilty drivers can receive a monetary fine and other punishment.
- Drivers receive a moving violation subject to citation.
- Drivers could have to complete a safe driving course.
- Drivers could receive up to four points on their driver’s licenses.
- Minimum fine of $265 for most violations. (Court Fees Will Be Added)
- Minimum fine of $465 when drivers pass on the side where children enter and exit the bus. (Court Fees Will Be Added)
The punishment for drivers who illegally pass a stopped school bus and cause an injury or death goes much further. Convicted drivers would face community service hours, mandatory safe driving courses, and six points on their driver’s licenses.
Violators would also receive a suspended license for at least one year. They also receive a $1,500 fine that would have substantial court fees added to it.
Earning Support After a Fort Lauderdale School Bus Accident
If you or your child is hurt in an accident involving a school bus, you should speak to a skilled Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer about holding a careless driver fully responsible. Contact us to schedule a free consultation and tell us what happened. Let us know about your family’s biggest hardships since the accident and then let us go to work holding an auto insurer fully liable.
Allow Cowen Edwards Trial Lawyers to handle the frustrating injury claims process while giving a child victim time to focus on recovery. Our goal would be to secure the maximum in support for a young victim. A settlement check must cover the child’s medical care now and any care that could be needed in the years ahead.
If you need our help with your case, you won’t need to have any money to hire us. We don’t get paid unless we win your case for you. Then our fee comes out of the car accident settlement check your family receives.
