I am loving the First Day of School photos that friends are sending me and that are popping up on my social media. It's bittersweet for me – for the first time in a long time, I don't have a kid starting school this week.  My K-12 parenting career has ended. Now I look forward to hauling IKEA moving bags up flights of stairs, watching while my son picks out the perfect dorm decorations (spoiler, flags remain ever popular), and figuring out life in an empty nest.

As August rolls on, and kids flood back to school after a summer away, it is the right time to focus on keeping them safe.  Over the next several weeks, I will share some tips ranging from school bus and driving safety, to abuse and sexual assault awareness and protection, to internet safety. This tips all come out of cases that I have handled for students in our community. I hope you will take something away from these lessons learned that protects the kids in your life that you love and care about.

Many Southern Arizona schools start this week, so let's begin our lesson with the basics – stopping for a school bus and driving through school zones.

Stopping for a School Bus

•     When approaching


Drivers must come to a complete stop before reaching a school bus that is picking up or dropping off passengers, regardless of direction of travel. Flashing yellow lights are usually activated about 200 feet before the bus stops, and flashing red lights will turn on once the bus stops.



•     When meeting or overtaking


Drivers must stop before reaching a stopped school bus if it has a red octagon with "STOP" on both sides and flashing lights. Drivers must remain stopped until the bus moves or the lights and stop sign are no longer visible.



•     Other tips


Drivers should use their mirrors to check for traffic behind them, and watch for tailgating vehicles and directional signals from other drivers. They should also be aware that the 10-foot area around a stopped school bus is the most dangerous for students. 








The statute is clear that you have to stop when directly behind or approaching a stopped school bus on a two-lane road. And it's equally clear that you stop when behind a stopped school bus on a multi-lane road. But what do you do when you approach a stopped school bus on a multi-lane road or divided highway? If the roadway is paved across both directions of travel, oncoming traffic must also stop. If the median is unpaved or the lanes are separated by a physical barrier, opposite direction traffic must proceed with caution. 

Driving through School Zones

·       Speed limit

The speed limit in school zones is 15 miles per hour, unless the school zone sign's yellow lights are flashing. In that case, drivers should slow down and prepare to stop.

·       Passing

Drivers are not allowed to pass other vehicles in school zones, even if they are driving below the speed limit. This includes when children are present or when school zone signs are flashing. Drivers also cannot pass a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, unless there is a raised median between lanes of traffic.

·       Stopping

Drivers must stop completely at school crossings when the crosswalk is occupied by a person. This includes when portable "STOP WHEN CHILDREN IN CROSSWALK" signs are in the street, which are usually placed 45 minutes before school starts and 30 minutes after school ends. Drivers should also stop for crossing guards.

·       Parking

Schools must eliminate on-street parking near the entrance and exit of a school zone, including between the signs that mark the beginning and end of the zone and any crosswalks. Drivers should also not park or stop in bicycle lanes

For good reasons, Arizona law enforcement strictly enforces speed limits in school zones. Fines are doubled in school zones.

As the school year gets underway, and always, please take care when driving. It's better to be safe than sorry. If you have any questions, or if someone you care about has been involved in a school-traffic related incident and you need some guidance, please give me a call.