Letters to the Editor
January 25, 2023
Writing this for the protection of our children. Since the start of school in August, I have been passed by 22 motor vehicles as I was stopped along Highway 2 picking up or dropping off children with my red lights flashing. Last Thursday, the 19th of January, while unloading children with my flashing red lights on and my extended stop-arm out, I was passed by a white semi tractor trailer, a red Dodge STATE pickup and a white van with FICO on the driver’s door. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
For you drivers who think the flashing red lights and extended stop-arm are a suggestion, not law, Montana Code Annotated 61-8-351 states:
(1) (a) When a school bus that has stopped on the roadway or street to recieve or discharge school children has actuated flashing red lights, a driver of a motor vehicle that is approaching the school bus from either direction:
(i) Shall stop the motor vehicle not less than approximately 30 feet from the school bus, and
(ii) May not proceed past the school bus until the school bux ceases operation of its flashing red lights.
(2) When a school bus that is preparing to stop on the highway or street to receive or discharge school children has actuated flashing amber lights, a driver of a motor vehicle that is approaching the school bus from either direction shall slow to a rate of speed that is reasonable under the conditions existing at the point of operation and must be prepared to stop on the actuation of flashing red lights when the school bus has stopped.
Roy M. Case
Bus #4
Clear Creek Route