New School Bus Safety Laws Now In Effect Across Minneapolis-St. Paul
New school bus safety laws are now in effect in Minneapolis-St. Paul, requiring drivers to stop when a bus displays flashing red lights, even if its stop arm is not fully extended.
Minneapolis St. Paul, MN, September 1, 2026 — New legislation aimed at enhancing school bus safety has officially taken effect in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. The updated regulations place a clear directive on all drivers operating vehicles within the region.
Under the new laws, drivers are now required to bring their vehicles to a complete stop whenever a school bus displays flashing red lights. This mandate applies even in situations where the bus’s stop arm has not yet been fully extended. Previously, the requirement to stop was more strictly tied to the physical deployment of the stop arm.
The change is intended to bolster the safety of students as they board and disembark school buses. By extending the stopping requirement to the moment red lights begin flashing, authorities aim to create a larger buffer zone and ensure greater vigilance from motorists during critical loading and unloading periods.
Enforcement of these new provisions will focus on ensuring that drivers recognize and respond promptly to the visual signals from school buses. The law underscores the importance of attentive driving around school transportation, particularly during morning and afternoon commutes.
Further details regarding specific enforcement measures or penalties for violations were not immediately available. The primary objective of these new laws is to reduce the risk of accidents involving school-aged pedestrians and to reinforce safe driving practices throughout the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.
Story summarized from the original created by Nick.Longworth@fox.com (Nick Longworth) on www.fox9.com, see more information here.
