AB 254

Current law requires motorists who approach a school bus that is stopped on

a public road and is displaying flashing red lights to stop their approaching vehicle

not less than 20 feet from the bus and to remain stopped until the bus resumes motion

or the bus driver extinguishes the flashing red warning lights. A motorist who

violates this requirement may be required to forfeit not less than $30 nor more than

$300. The owner or lessee of a vehicle that violates these requirements may be held

liable for the violation under this state's "vehicle owner liability" law, under which

a school bus driver who observes a violation may report the violation to police.

This bill extends these stopping requirements to private roads and driveways.

A "private road or driveway" is every way or place in private ownership and used for

vehicular travel only by the owner and those having express or implied permission

from the owner, and every road or driveway upon the grounds of public institutions

(other than public schools) or institutions under the jurisdiction of the county board

of supervisors. Under the bill, any motorist who approaches a school bus that is

stopped on a public road or on a private road or driveway must stop the vehicle not

less than 20 feet from the bus and must remain stopped until the bus resumes motion

or the bus driver extinguishes the flashing red warning lights. The "vehicle owner

liability" law applies to such violations committed on private roads or driveways.

The bill also prohibits a school bus driver from displaying flashing red lights on a

private road or driveway under circumstances where such a display would be

prohibited on a public road.