LAPS News:

The first day of school for the 2022-2023 school year is Wednesday, Aug. 10. The Los Alamos Public Schools Transportation Department would like to remind drivers to stop for a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing.

“We want to do everything we can to ensure the safety of students on or near the school bus. Once students start to walk away from the bus, it is essential that the public stop when the lights are flashing and the stop arm is out to ensure the safety of our students,” LAPS Transportation Director Keith Rosenbaum said.

Drivers also should never pass a bus that is stopped with the red lights flashing and the stop arm out.

This year, LAPS has replaced the old camera systems on the buses with a system that includes cameras to catch stop arm runners. There is a dash camera and two cameras below the stop arm that will video record the driver approaching the bus, record the face of the driver, and record the license plate number of the vehicle as it passes the bus. Running a school bus stop arm is a ticketable offense.

Drivers should follow these 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. 

Bus routes are posted on the transportation website at https://laschools.net/transportation/

All students eligible to ride the school bus must complete the required bus card. 

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