With school back in session and buses on the road to pick up or drop off children, here’s a reminder about the rules of the road for stopped school buses:

According to Washington state law:

(1) The driver of a vehicle on a two-lane road upon overtaking or meeting from either direction any school bus which has stopped on the roadway for the purpose of receiving or discharging any school children shall stop the vehicle before reaching the school bus when the school bus has a visual signal as specified in revised code of Washington (RCW) 46.37.190 and said driver shall not proceed until such school bus resumes motion or the visual signals are no longer activated.

(2) The driver of a vehicle upon a highway divided into separate roadways as provided in RCW 46.61.150 need not stop upon meeting a school bus which is proceeding in the opposite direction and is stopped for the purpose of receiving or discharging school children.

(3) The driver of a vehicle upon a highway with three or more marked traffic lanes need not stop upon meeting a school bus which is proceeding in the opposite direction and is stopped for the purpose of receiving or discharging school children.

According to state laws the fine is $500 for not stopping properly. This penalty may not be waived, reduced, or suspended. Fifty percent of the money collected shall be deposited into the school zone safety account in the custody of the state treasurer and disbursed in accordance with RCW 46.61.440(5).