11/10/2026
🚌 PUBLIC SAFETY REMINDER: STOP FOR SCHOOL BUSES! 🚸
Every day, children across our communities depend on school bus drivers to get them safely to and from school. As motorists, we all share the responsibility of protecting them.
We want to remind everyone of Tennessee's school bus safety laws, especially when traveling on a four-lane highway.
🚨 WHEN DO YOU HAVE TO STOP?
🔴 Two-lane roads: Traffic traveling in BOTH directions must stop when a school bus activates its flashing red lights and extends its stop sign.
🔴 Four-lane highways with a center turn lane: Traffic traveling in BOTH directions must stop. A center turn lane does NOT count as a physical median or divider.
🔴 Four-lane highways with a physical median or separate roadways: Traffic traveling behind the school bus must stop. Traffic traveling in the opposite direction may proceed cautiously if the roadways are separated by an intervening space that is not suitable for vehicular traffic.
⚠️ WHAT DO THE LIGHTS MEAN?
🟡 Flashing yellow lights: The bus is preparing to stop. Slow down and prepare to come to a complete stop.
🔴 Flashing red lights and extended stop arm: STOP! Children are getting on or off the bus. Do not proceed until the bus resumes motion, the driver signals you to proceed, or the warning signals are no longer activated.
A FEW SECONDS OF PATIENCE COULD SAVE A CHILD'S LIFE.
Never assume a child isn't crossing the road. Children can be unpredictable, and a child may be hidden from your view by the school bus.
Under Tennessee Code Annotated 55-8-151, failing to stop for a school bus when required is a serious offense, punishable by a fine of $250 to $1,000 for a first violation.
Please slow down, pay attention, put your phones away, and watch for children.
Let's work together to make sure every child makes it home safely.
THE BUS STOP SIGN IS NOT A SUGGESTION. IT'S THE LAW.
Please SHARE this reminder to help spread awareness throughout our community!
