Today the Bismarck Police Department issued a reminder to motorists to stop for school buses displaying flashing red lights.  The fee for violating this law is $100 and six points.

Bismarck Police have taken 46 reports of drivers not stopping for school buses since the public schools opened for this school year.  The complaints are coming from the bus drivers.

According to Bismarck City Ordinance 12-09-18, “The driver of a vehicle meeting or overtaking from either direction any school bus stopped on the highway shall stop the vehicle before reaching such school bus when there is in operation on the school bus the flashing red lights specified in NDCC Section 39-21-18, and a driver may not proceed until such school bus resumes motion or he is signaled by the school bus driver to proceed or the flashing red lights are no longer actuated.”

The definition of “highway” as used in this ordinance is interpreted to include city streets.

The ordinance is designed to protect children who are getting on or off the school bus.  Please be alert for school buses displaying their red flashing lights and stop.  Help keep our children safe.