School is back in session, help keep our students safe with these safety reminders thanks to Minnesota Department of Transportation! Did you know Minnesota school buses will make about 10,000 trips each day? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, school buses are the safest mode of transportation for children, but we all need to work together to ensure that everyone makes it home safely.

 Stop for School Buses: It's the Law!

• State law requires all vehicles to stop for school buses when the bus driver activates the flashing lights and has the stop arm fully extended.
• Drivers who violate the law face a $500 fine.
• Drivers can face criminal charges for passing a school bus on the right, passing when a child is outside the bus, or injuring or killing a child.

Motorists 

• Motorists must stop at least 20 feet from a school bus that is displaying red flashing lights and/or stop arm is extended when approaching from the rear and from the opposite direction on undivided roads. 
• Red flashing lights on buses indicates students are either entering or exiting the bus. 
• Motorists are not required to stop for a bus if the bus is on the opposite side of a separated roadway (median, etc.) but they should remain alert for children. 
• Watch for school crossing patrols and pedestrians. Reduce speeds in and around school zones. 
• Watch and stop for pedestrians - the law applies to all street corners.