Helena, Montana – School buses are once again traveling across Montana as students return to classrooms, bringing an important reminder for motorists to stay alert and follow state laws designed to protect children.
School buses are considered one of the safest ways for children to travel. According to the American School Bus Council, students are approximately 70 times more likely to arrive at school safely when riding a school bus compared with traveling in a passenger vehicle.
Still, school transportation is not completely free of risk. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that 119 occupants were killed in school transportation vehicles across the United States between 2015 and 2024.
With buses making frequent stops to pick up and drop off students, Montana drivers are being encouraged to reduce distractions, watch carefully for flashing lights and give buses enough space.
Montana law requires drivers to stop at least 30 feet away
Montana law establishes specific requirements for drivers approaching school buses.
Under Montana Code Annotated 61 8 351, motorists traveling in either direction must stop at least 30 feet away from a school bus when its amber or red lights are activated. The requirement also applies to motorists traveling on highways.
Drivers should never attempt to pass a school bus while its amber or red warning lights are flashing.
Many school buses are also equipped with stop arms. These are devices shaped like stop signs that extend from the side of a bus and flash when children are getting on or off.
The stop arm and flashing lights provide motorists with a clear warning that students may be entering or leaving the roadway around the bus. Children may also be approaching the bus or walking away after being dropped off.
Although these warning systems are designed to make school bus stops more visible, their effectiveness still depends heavily on other drivers. Motorists must recognize the signals, slow down and stop when required.
Drivers should pay particular attention around schools, intersections and established bus stops during morning and afternoon hours. Children can sometimes be difficult to see, especially when they are near parked vehicles or other objects.
Distractions can make those situations even more dangerous. Phones, conversations with passengers and other activities inside a vehicle can take a driver’s attention away from the road and reduce the amount of time available to react.
Visibility is another important concern. Drivers should use their headlights when darkness, rain, fog or other conditions make it harder to see. This can be especially important during early morning school bus routes or later afternoon trips when daylight is limited.
Vehicle maintenance also plays a role in preventing crashes. Properly maintained brakes and tires can help motorists stop safely when they unexpectedly encounter a school bus or children crossing the road.
Drivers should also avoid following school buses too closely. Leaving additional space gives motorists more time to respond when a bus begins slowing for its next stop.
School bus safety becomes particularly important when students are boarding and exiting because children may need to cross a road to reach their homes or the bus. A driver who ignores flashing lights or attempts to pass a stopped bus can put students directly in danger.
The return of buses to Montana roads means motorists should once again expect frequent stops along school routes. Drivers who regularly travel near schools should also anticipate heavier pedestrian activity and children crossing streets before and after classes.
For parents, school bus transportation can provide an alternative to driving children directly to school while avoiding busy drop-off areas. For students, it provides a widely used form of transportation with strong safety advantages.
Keeping that system safe, however, requires cooperation from everyone sharing the road. Staying focused, maintaining a safe distance, watching for students, obeying flashing warning lights and never passing a school bus while its amber or red lights are activated can help ensure Montana students make it to school and return home safely.
