Do You Need to Stop? Melbourne Police Officials Share School Season Bus Safety Reminders
By Space Coast Daily // September 11, 2025
Teach your kids how to stay safe on and around school buses
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – The Melbourne Police Department has issued an educational reminder about when to stop for school buses.
The 2025 Florida Statutes, Title XXIII: MOTOR VEHICLES, Chapter 316: STATE UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROL, Section 316.172: Traffic to stop for school bus states the following:
• (1)(a) Any person using, operating, or driving a vehicle on or over the roads or highways of this state shall, upon approaching any school bus which displays a stop signal, bring such vehicle to a complete stop. In contrast, the bus is stopped, and the vehicle shall not pass the school bus until the signal has been withdrawn. A person who violates this section commits a moving violation, punishable as provided in chapter 318.
(1) (b) Any person using, operating, or driving a vehicle that passes a school bus on the side that children enter and exit when the school bus displays a stop signal commits a moving violation, punishable as provided in chapter 318, and is subject to a mandatory hearing under the provisions of s. 318.19.
• (2) The driver of a vehicle upon a divided highway with an unpaved space of at least 5 feet, a raised median, or a physical barrier is not required to stop when traveling in the opposite direction of a school bus that is stopped in accordance with the provisions of this section.
• (3) Every school bus shall stop as far to the right of the street as possible and shall display warning lights and stop signals as required by rules of the State Board of Education before discharging or loading passengers. When possible, a school bus shall not stop where the visibility is obscured for a distance of 200 feet either way from the bus.
With school season in full swing, we all need to remember the rules of the road when it comes to safely and legally navigating the many school buses that will be on Space Coast roadways.
• All drivers moving in either direction on a two-way street must stop for a school bus displaying a stop signal, and must remain stopped until the road is clear of children and the school bus stop arm is withdrawn.
• On a highway divided by a paved median, all drivers moving in either direction must stop for a school bus displaying a stop signal, and must remain stopped until the road is clear of children AND the school bus stop arm is withdrawn.
• On a highway divided by a raised barrier or an unpaved median at least 5 feet wide, drivers moving in the opposite direction do not have to stop for the bus (painted lines or pavement markings are not considered barriers). However, these motorists should slow down and watch for students loading or unloading from the bus.
• Be alert and watch for children, especially near schools, bus stops, school buses, and in school parking lots. Pay extra attention to lower speed limits in school zones.
• Watch for and obey signals from school crossing guards.
• Only drive or park in authorized areas to drop off or pick up children at school.
ABOVE VIDEO: Teach your kids how to stay safe on and around school buses as they head back to school this fall. These tips are brought to you by First Student, North America’s largest provider of student transportation, and the National Safety Council.
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