LAPS News:

With the start of the spring semester, the LAPS Transportation Department would like to remind drivers in Los Alamos and White Rock to exercise caution when it comes to school buses, bus stops and the students who ride those buses, as well as inform the community about the law regarding school buses.

There were 106 stop arm violations reported during the fall semester, and six violations since the start of the second semester just five days ago. “Our greatest concern is the safety of our students. When vehicles don’t stop, it endangers the safety of our community’s students. Please keep our children safe and stop for the school bus.”

New Mexico Statutes Chapter 66. Motor Vehicles § 66-7-347 regarding Overtaking and passing school bus states that the driver of a vehicle upon approaching or overtaking from either direction any school bus which has stopped on the roadway, with special school bus signals in operation, for the purpose of receiving or discharging any school children, shall stop the vehicle at least ten feet before reaching the school bus and shall not proceed until the special school bus signals are turned off, the school bus resumes motion or until signaled by the driver to proceed.

Here is a list of the school bus safety rules:

• First, drive slowly and look for children waiting at the bus stop, walking or riding their bicycles to school.
• Second, know what the flashing lights indicate. A red flashing light with the extended stop arm means traffic is required to stop, even in both directions of a two-lane road. Yellow flashing lights mean the bus is preparing to stop, so proceed with caution.
• Be careful when pulling up to a bus stop because children might be running out to the bus.
• Finally, follow all school zone speed limits, look for students in crosswalks and never pass a bus on the outside of a turn.

Direct questions about school bus stops or school bus safety to the Transportation Department at 505.663.2255.