Police: Stop for school bus arms

“Stop for the stop arm!”

With Eden Prairie children readying themselves to go back to school next week, the title of an Aug. 30 EPPD blog post was a reminder to drivers of the importance of stopping for school bus arms. 

According to the city’s police blog, the state law requires drivers in both directions to stop at least 20 feet away when they see a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended. The fine for failing to stop is $500. 

In 2021, the EPPD received 38 reports of stop-arm violations. 

“It is important to note that school bus drivers can report these violations directly to the police department,” the blog stated. “The registered owner of the violator vehicle can receive a ticket in the mail – even if they were not driving the vehicle at the time of the offense.”

The blog added that it is only OK to pass a bus with flashing lights if a driver is going in the opposite direction on a divided roadway with an unpaved space or any raised median or physical barrier.