El Cerrito Heights

Speaking of School Buses

Jan 20, 2000

New rules for motorists -- On January 1, 1999, a ?“new set of laws?” took effect regarding the obligation of motorists to come to a full stop when a school bus stops and displays its flashing red signal lights and stop signal arm. Confusion and traffic congestion ensued. As of October 10, 1999, a new ?“new set of laws?” is now in place. These are the provisions of the new ?“new set of laws?”: First, school bus drivers will no longer be required to display the flashing lights and stop arm if the bus is stopped at a school bus loading zone on or adjacent to school grounds though, in most cases, they will continue to display the flashing lights and stop arm at other school bus stops. Second, motorists on a divided street or a street with two or more lanes in each direction will no longer be required to stop if a school bus displaying the flashing lights and stop arm is on the opposite side of the street.

Speeding school buses --There have been a few complaints about school buses traveling too fast on neighborhood streets. If you have a complaint, get the bus number (not necessarily the license number), note the date and time of day, and call the school district?’s Safety and Training Office at 496-8480.