LAPS News:

Los Alamos Public Schools would like to remind all drivers that the first day of school is Wednesday, Aug. 7. This means that more than 3,700 students will be walking, biking or riding the school bus.

Drivers are reminded that it is against the law to pass a school bus when the red lights are flashing and the stop arm is out.

“Last year we recorded over 190 incidents of cars passing school buses when the red lights were flashing and the stop arm extended,” LAPS Transportation Director Keith Rosenbaum said. “While this is a decrease from the previous year, even one incident is one too many. We don’t want to see any student get hurt while getting on or off a school bus. We need the public to cooperate and follow the safety rules to keep our students safe this school year.”

Here is a list of the school bus safety rules:

• STOP for a school bus with the red flashing light and the stop arm extended. All 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.
• DRIVE SLOWLY and look for children waiting at the bus stop, walking or riding their bicycles to school.
• BE ALERT when pulling up to a bus stop because children might be running out to the bus. 
• OBEY all school zone speed limits, look for students in crosswalks and NEVER pass a bus on the outside of a turn.
• DO NOT STOP in crosswalks.
• NEVER PASS a vehicle stopped for pedestrians or a school bus.

“We encourage everyone to follow these rules and look forward to a safe school year,” Rosenbaum said. 

Direct questions about school bus stops or school bus safety to the LAPS Transportation Department at 505.663.2255 or check out the LAPS Transportation webpage.