As school buses return to the roads for the new school year, Kentucky drivers need to be aware of a major update to state traffic laws.
Effective July 15, 2026, state law significantly expands when motorists are required to stop for a stopped school or church bus with its stop arm extended and red lights flashing.
What Changed? The New Rule for Four-Lane Roads
In the past, drivers on multi-lane highways traveling in the opposite direction of a stopped bus were often exempt from stopping. That is no longer the case.
Under the updated law, traffic moving in both directions must stop on all roads, including four-lane highways, whenever a bus has its stop arm out and red lights activated.
Road Type | Opposing Traffic Status |
Two-Lane Road | MUST STOP |
Four-Lane Road (Paved Center Turn Lane) | MUST STOP |
Four-Lane Road (Unpaved Median or Concrete Barrier) | EXEMPT (Only opposing traffic may proceed carefully) |
The Only Exception
Drivers traveling in the opposite direction on a road with four or more lanes are only exempt from stopping if the opposing lanes are physically separated by an unpaved median or an elevated concrete barrier.
⚠️ Important: A continuous paved center turn lane does NOT count as a median. If a four-lane road only has painted lines or a center turning lane dividing opposing traffic, all four lanes must stop.
The revised legislation also updates how stop-arm violations are monitored and penalized:
Stop-Arm Cameras: School districts across the state are expanding the use of camera systems mounted directly to school buses to record drivers who illegally pass.
Registered Owner Responsibility: If a camera captures a vehicle illegally passing a stopped bus and the driver cannot be identified, the law now creates a presumption that the registered owner (or lessee) was driving. The owner will be subject to the civil penalties unless they can legally rebut the presumption.
Fines: Camera-enforced violations carry a $300 civil penalty for a first offense and up to $500 for subsequent offenses within three years.
Why the Change Matters
The goal of the update is simple: eliminating confusion on multi-lane roads to prevent catastrophic accidents. The extra moment spent stopped keeps children safe as they board and exit buses near busy roadways.
The Bottom Line: When you see yellow flashing lights, prepare to stop. When the red lights flash and the stop arm extends, stop your vehicle completely, no matter which side of a multi-lane road you are on, unless there is dirt, grass, or concrete physically separating you from the bus.
Let's work together to protect kids!