Florida motorists are reminded to slow down, remain alert and stop when required for school buses displaying flashing red lights and an extended stop arm. Passing a stopped school bus can result in significant fines and points on a driver’s licence. Photo Courtesy: Florida Highway Patrol
By Digital Staff Reporter
iSkyNews.com (ISN) – Published August 11th, 2026
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FLORIDA — As students across Florida head back to the classroom, motorists are being reminded that keeping children safe doesn't end at the school doors. Drivers have a responsibility to slow down, stay alert and know when they are legally required to stop for a school bus.
Florida school buses carry thousands of children to and from school each day, placing students near roadways during some of the busiest times of the morning and afternoon.
According to information from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, nearly 3,000 crashes involving school buses occurred in Florida in 2022.
With another school year underway, drivers are being urged to pay particularly close attention around schools, bus stops, school buses and school parking lots.
When Do Florida Drivers Have to Stop for a School Bus?
Florida law requires motorists approaching a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arms extended to stop under most circumstances.
On a two-lane road, vehicles travelling in both directions must stop. Drivers must remain stopped until children have cleared the roadway and the school bus withdraws its stop arm.
The same applies on a multi-lane roadway divided only by pavement or painted markings. Traffic travelling in both directions must stop.
There is an important exception.
When a roadway is divided by a raised barrier, such as a concrete divider, or an unpaved median at least five feet wide, motorists travelling in the opposite direction are not required to stop.
Those drivers should still slow down and watch carefully for children in the area.
Painted lines and pavement markings alone are not considered a barrier.
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| This diagram shows when Florida motorists are required to stop for a school bus displaying its stop signal. Drivers travelling in both directions generally must stop unless opposing traffic is separated from the bus by a raised barrier or an unpaved median at least five feet wide. Graphic Courtesy: Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles |
Passing a Stopped School Bus Can Be Costly
Penalties for illegally passing a stopped school bus in Florida can include a moving violation, four points on a driver's license and completion of a basic Driver Improvement Course following conviction.
The minimum fine is $265.
For a driver who illegally passes a school bus on the side where children enter and exit, the minimum fine increases to $465.
Florida increased penalties for these violations beginning January 1, 2021.
The consequences become substantially more serious when a driver's actions result in someone being seriously injured or killed.
Cameron Mayhew Act Increases Penalties
The Cameron Mayhew Act, which took effect in Florida on July 1, 2017, increased the minimum penalties for motorists who illegally pass a stopped school bus and cause serious bodily injury or death.
The law was named after Cameron Mayhew, who was killed in 2016 by a motorist who failed to stop as he walked toward his stopped school bus.
Under the law, penalties can include 120 hours of community service at a trauma centre or hospital, six points on a driver's licence, a minimum one-year licence suspension and a $1,500 fine.
Drivers may also be required to participate in a victim impact panel or attend an approved driver improvement course when a panel is unavailable.
The Cameron Mayhew Act is a Florida school bus safety law that took effect on July 1, 2017. It was created to impose much tougher penalties when a driver illegally passes or fails to stop for a school bus and, in doing so, causes serious bodily injury or death.
The law is named after Cameron Mayhew, a Florida student who was killed in 2016 when a motorist failed to stop as he was walking to his stopped school bus.
Under the law, a violation resulting in serious bodily injury or death carries enhanced consequences, including six points on the driver's license, a minimum one-year license suspension and a $1,500 fine, along with additional requirements such as community service and victim-impact or driver-improvement programming.
Put the Phone Down in School Zones
Drivers should also remember that Florida restricts the handheld use of wireless communication devices while driving through designated school crossings, school zones and active work zones.
A few seconds spent looking at a phone can be especially dangerous in an area where children may unexpectedly enter a roadway.
Motorists should obey reduced school-zone speed limits, follow directions from crossing guards and use only authorised areas when dropping off or picking up students.
Parents Can Help Keep Children Safe
School bus safety also begins before children ever step aboard.
Parents are encouraged to have children arrive at their bus stop about five minutes before the scheduled arrival time and wait somewhere safely away from the roadway. Children should never sit on the roadway or curb while waiting.
Children should know their bus driver's name and bus number and understand never to leave with or get into a vehicle with a stranger.
When boarding or leaving the bus, children should never walk behind it and should remain clear of its wheels. If they need to cross the street, they should wait for the driver's signal, look left, right and left again, and make eye contact with the bus driver before crossing.
Once aboard, students should remain seated, keep the aisle clear and avoid putting their head, hands or arms outside the windows.
Children should also remain quiet when a school bus approaches a railroad crossing so the driver can listen for an approaching train.
Drivers Urged to Give School Buses Extra Room
Whether behind the wheel during the morning commute or driving through a neighbourhood in the afternoon, motorists should expect to encounter more school buses, pedestrians and children near Florida roadways as classes resume.
Slowing down, putting away distractions and stopping when required can mean the difference between an ordinary trip home from school and a tragedy.
Additional information about Florida driving laws and school bus safety is available through the state's official driver handbook.
Florida Driver License Handbook
Source: Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV)
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