Section 265:57 Driving of School Buses.


   I. The driver of a school bus shall decrease speed when approaching a school bus stop and activate the amber warning lights a minimum of 100 feet prior to the stop.
   II. (a) The driver shall stop the bus as far to the right of the highway as possible, yet remain on the traveled portion of the roadway. If facilities and stopping areas are available, the school bus shall be stopped completely off the highway.
      (b) The bus shall be stopped in a position at least 10 feet from the students or in a position which allows students to cross at least 10 feet in front of the bus.
   III. As the driver approaches a school bus stop, the driver shall check oncoming traffic, traffic to the rear of the school bus, and traffic to both sides of the school bus to ascertain whether traffic is stopping. When the school bus has come to a complete stop and it is safe to take on or discharge students, the driver shall open the service door and thereby activate the red flashing lights.
   IV. If the school bus is equipped with strobe lights, the strobe lights shall be kept in continuous operation at all times throughout the regular route, home-to-school and school-to-home.
   V. The fine for a violation of this section shall be $250.

Source. RSA 263:38-a. 1961, 251:7. 1981, 146:1; 479:11; 479:42. 2001, 81:1, eff. Aug. 18, 2001. 2005, 177:33, eff. July 1, 2005. 2006, 259:17, eff. one day after passage of state operating budget for biennium ending June 30, 2009. 2007, 263:66, eff. June 29, 2007.