In Minnesota, the safety of children riding to and from school is taken seriously. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (MDPS) confirms that any driver who passes a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended faces a $500 fine and possible criminal charges.

When you must stop

On both two‑lane and multi‑lane roads, every vehicle approaching a school bus from either direction must stop at least 20 feet away. Drivers must remain stopped until the bus’s red lights turn off and the stop arm is retracted. Many school buses are equipped with cameras that record violations and forward the footage to law‑enforcement agencies.

The only exception

The law makes one clear exception: if the bus is traveling on the opposite side of a divided roadway—such as a road with a concrete median, grassy strip, or any physical barrier separating traffic directions—drivers are not required to stop. For example, on West Circle Drive in northwest Rochester, a median separates eastbound and westbound lanes. A driver traveling east who sees a westbound bus with flashing red lights does not have to stop, though they should remain vigilant.

Why the exception exists

MDPS notes that school bus drivers are prohibited by state law from allowing children to cross a divided roadway, which reduces the risk of a child stepping into traffic moving in the opposite direction. Nevertheless, the department urges motorists on divided roads to slow down, stay alert, and be prepared for children who may be walking near the bus.

Enforcement and penalties

Violating the school‑bus stop law can result in a $500 fine per offense. In addition, drivers may face criminal charges if they pass a bus on the right, pass when a child is outside the bus, or cause injury or death to a child. The presence of on‑board cameras on many buses helps authorities identify and prosecute repeat offenders.

What parents and drivers should remember

• Always stop for a school bus with flashing red lights and an extended stop arm, regardless of lane count.
• If the road is divided by a median or barrier, you are not required to stop, but you should still proceed with caution.
• Stay at least 20 feet away from the bus while it is stopped.
• Do not attempt to pass a bus on the right or when a child is outside the vehicle.

By following these guidelines, Minnesota drivers help keep children safe and avoid costly fines. The MDPS encourages anyone who witnesses a violation to report it to local law‑enforcement agencies.

Original reporting: News Talk 1340 KROC-AM – News and Talk – Rochester News Radio — read the source article.