Red Light Law

The Red Light Law

Provisions of recently enacted legislation, AB 1573, Strom-Martin, Chapter 647,
effective October 11,1999, changed the way school bus drivers use the flashing
amber warning and flashing red signal light/stop signal arm system on the bus.
Additionally, this legislation changed some conditions under which motorists must
stop for school buses that display the flashing red signal lights and stop
signal arm.

These changes are:

Except where pupils who need to cross the highway or private road upon which
the school bus is stopped, the flashing amber warning lights, flashing red signal
lights and stop signal arm are not required to be activated by the school bus
driver at the following locations:

(1) School bus loading zones on or adjacent to school grounds or during an
activity trip, if the school bus is lawfully parked.

(2) Where the school bus is disabled due to mechanical breakdown.

(3) Where pupils require assistance to board or leave the school bus.

(4) Where the roadway surface on which the bus is stopped is partially or
completely covered by snow or ice and requiring traffic to stop would pose a safety
hazard.

(5) On a state highway with a posted speed limit of 55 miles per hour or
higher where the school bus is completely off the main portion of the highway.

(6) Any location determined by a school district, with the approval of the
Department of the California Highway Patrol, to present a traffic or safety hazard.

Motorists on a divided or multiple-lane lane highway need not stop upon meeting
or passing a school bus that is upon the other roadway. A multiple-lane highway
is any highway that has two or more lanes of travel in each direction.

If a school bus is stopped where the flow of traffic is controlled by an
official traffic control signal, and the flashing red signal lights and stop signal
arm on the school bus is activated, all motorists traveling in the same direction
as the school bus must stop regardless of the color of the light displayed on
the official traffic control signal.

If you have questions regarding this change in law you may contact the
districts Transportation Safety & Training office (619) 496-8726
or the local office of the Department of the California Highway Patrol(http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/offices.html).

Transportation Center: 4710 Cardin Street, San Diego, CA 92111 • Phone (858) 496-8460/8480 • Fax (858) 496-8700

Director: Alexandra Robinson, M.Ed., CDPT • Phone (858) 496-8710 • Fax (858) 496-8705