Photo courtesy of Henry County Sheriff's Office social media

As the new academic year is underway in Iowa, local law enforcement agencies as well as school districts would like to remind drivers when to stop for school buses.

When driving on a roadway with three lanes or fewer, every vehicle must stop for a school bus when its red lights are flashing and/or its stop arm is extended. This includes traffic moving the opposite direction, as well as turning lanes.

If the roadway is four lanes or more, all vehicles approaching from the rear or following the bus must stop when the bus has its lights on, or its stop arm extended. Traffic moving the opposite direction may continue, however drivers are still urged to slow down and be on high alert for children getting on or off the bus.

Henry County Sheriff, Rich McNamee, echoes this message. “This time of year we take a lot of calls about people passing school buses [and] tragic things happening because somebody didn’t stop for a school bus or a stop sign. Let’s watch for those big yellow buses and judge accordingly.”

AM and FM KCII is teaming up with local businesses this fall to promote the back to school safety campaign. Be cautious when in the vicinity of a school bus, and help keep kids safe.