Cedar Rapids police stressing school bus laws

Police today issued reminders on rules drivers must observe when they approach a school bus:

• When you see flashing yellow lights on a school bus, it means it is preparing to stop. On a two-lane road, it is illegal to pass a school bus from behind when yellow lights are flashing. When approaching a school bus traveling in the opposite direction, a driver must slow the vehicle to 20 miles per hour or less when yellow lights are flashing and be prepared to stop when the stop arm is extended and red lights flash.
• When you see flashing red lights and the extended stop arm, that means the bus is either picking up or letting off passengers. Cars behind the bus and approaching it on a two-lane road must come to a complete stop at least 15 feet from the bus and remain stopped until the bus' red lights stop flashing and the stop arm is retracted.
• On roads with two or more lanes in each direction: A driver must stop when approaching the school bus from behind when yellow or red lights flash. Drivers traveling in the opposite direction need not stop. In roads with two or more lanes in each direction, school bus drivers do not let passengers on or off the bus when the passengers must cross multiple lanes of traffic.

Unlawful passing of a school bus carries a $100 fine, plus a 35 percent surcharge and court costs for a total fine of $195.