As students return to the classroom for another year, drivers are reminded to use caution to avoid accidents.
With school soon back in session, the Carson City Sheriff’s Office is advising drivers to be cautious as they share the road with school buses.
Drivers are asked to keep in mind buses are large, slow moving vehicles that cannot stop on a dime. Be patient and obey the red flashing lights and stop signs which are activated when the bus is loading or unloading children.
Sgt. Scott McDaniel of the Sheriff’s Office said in the past the office has received complaints of vehicles passing the buses when red lights were on, or speeding past as the yellow warning lights were lit prior to the red stop signal lights. Passing when the red lights are lit is illegal.
According to the Department of Motor Vehicles Drivers Handbook, drivers are required to stop for school buses that are loading or unloading students. NRS 484B.353 requires a driver to stop at any location for a school bus displaying a flashing red light signal. Drivers may not attempt to overtake or proceed past the school bus until the bus driver has turned off the flashing red lights.
There’s one exception to this rule — on divided highways, drivers are only required to stop when traveling in the same direction as the school bus.
Nevada law allows school bus drivers to report violations to school districts and the Department of Motor Vehicles. When this occurs, the registered owner of the vehicle receives a warning letter explaining the seriousness of the violation.