Passing a Stopped School Bus
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-279 — stop ten feet away while the red lights flash; a first offense is a $450 fine
The operator of any vehicle, an authorized emergency vehicle included, stops not less than ten feet from the front when approaching, and not less than ten feet from the rear when overtaking or following, a registered school bus displaying flashing red signal lights. That holds on any highway, private road, parking area or school property, except at the specific direction of a traffic officer.
Who handles this in Connecticut: legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Connecticut directory.
- Stopped vehicles do not move until the bus no longer displays the flashing red lights.
- At an intersection, turning toward a school bus that is receiving or discharging passengers is prohibited.
- On a highway with two or more lanes separated by a safety island or physical barrier, a driver may pass without stopping a bus on the opposite side of the island or barrier.
| Offense | Penalty |
|---|---|
| OffenseA first offense | PenaltyA fine of $450 |
| OffenseEach later offense | PenaltyA fine of not less than $500 nor more than $1,000, up to 30 days in jail, or both |
A bus driver's written report of a passing car's number plate, color and type leads a police officer to issue a written warning or a summons to the car's owner.
Sources for this section (1)
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-279 — Vehicles to stop for school bus. Penalties. Written warning or summons
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Connecticut attorney.