In the last few weeks since the start of school, the Traffic Enforcement Unit has contacted numerous drivers for failing to stop, and remain stopped, while the red safety lights are flashing on school buses. Upon talking to the drivers who have failed to stop, the officers have learned that some people have a misconception about the rule, specifically when it relates to a wide roadway or median and not having to stop; this is FALSE!
Failure to stop for bus safety lights is a CLASS A Violation, which carries a $500 dollar fine, but far worse than a fine; the potential to severely injure or harm a child.
(1) A driver commits the offense of failure to stop for bus safety lights if the driver meets or overtakes from either direction any vehicle that is stopped on a roadway and that is operating red bus safety lights described under ORS 816.260 (Bus safety lights) and the driver does not:
(a) Stop before reaching the vehicle; and
(b) Remain standing until the bus safety lights are no longer operating.
(2) The following apply to the offense described in this section:
(a) The offense described in this section does not apply if the vehicle operating the bus safety lights is not permitted under ORS 816.350 (Prohibitions on number and kind of lights for certain vehicles) and 816.360 (Use of prohibited lighting equipment) to operate red bus safety lights.
(b) A driver need not comply with this section if the vehicle operating red bus safety lights is stopped on a different roadway.
(3) The offense described in this section, failure to stop for bus safety lights, is a Class A traffic violation. [1983 c.338 §583; 1985 c.16 §290]