AB 311

Current law generally requires the driver of a vehicle approaching a school bus

that is stopped on a highway and that is displaying flashing red lights to stop the

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

resumes motion or the school bus driver turns off the flashing red lights. Current law

also requires, with certain exceptions, a school bus driver to activate flashing red

lights at or before loading or unloading pupils and to extinguish the lights only after

loading or unloading is completed and any person who must cross the highway is

safely across. Under one exception to the latter rule, a school bus driver may not

activate the flashing red lights when loading or unloading in a special loading area

where the bus is entirely off the traveled portion of the highway. Under another

exception, the school bus driver may not activate the flashing red lights when loading

or unloading in a residence or business district where a sidewalk and curb are laid

on both sides of the road, unless there is no traffic signal where the loading or

unloading occurs, the person being loaded or unloaded must cross the highway, and

a local ordinance authorizes the use of warning lights under these circumstances.

The bill removes the prohibitions against the use of flashing red lights in a

special school bus loading area and in a residence or business district where a

sidewalk and curb are laid on both sides of the road.