School bus rules need to be followed by all motorists.

State Rep. Joe Hamm, R-Hepburn Township, has issued information about this critical safety issue matching what the state Department of Transportation provided as the school year gets underway.

State law requires motorists to stop at least 10 feet away from school buses when their red lights are flashing and their stop arm is activated.

This applies to motorists when they are behind or traveling alongside a school bus, as well as when meeting the bus or approaching an intersection where a bus has stopped.

Vehicles should remain stopped until the red lights have stopped flashing and the stop arm is retracted, and all children are safely across the road.

If physical barriers such as grassy medians, guide rails or concrete median barriers separate oncoming traffic from the bus, motorists in the opposing lanes may proceed without stopping.

Penalties for failure to obey school bus safety laws can result in a $250 fine, five points on a driving record and a 60-day license suspension. Violators will also be assessed a $35 surcharge to be deposited into the School Bus Safety Grant Program Account. Civil violations include a $300 fine but would not assess points or impact insurance ratings.

State law also permits school entities to install and operate a side stop signal arm enforcement system.

Parents are reminded to ensure their children are at the bus stop early to avoid rushing.

Students should stay where the bus driver can see them while boarding or exiting the bus.