Kentucky Expands Mandatory Stop Requirements for School and Church Buses

Effective last week, Kentucky law now obligates drivers to stop for any school or church bus that displays flashing red lights and an extended stop arm on all roadways. The change applies regardless of the number of lanes, requiring a complete halt until the bus’s signals are turned off.

WKRC - Cincinnati

Prior to the amendment, Kentucky statutes required drivers to stop only on two-lane roads when a school or church bus was loading or unloading passengers. The earlier limitation left drivers on multi-lane thoroughfares free to proceed, provided they did not encounter a bus on a two-lane segment.

WKRC - Cincinnati

The revised statute retains a single exemption: on roads with four or more lanes that are separated by a physical divider, drivers are not required to stop for the bus. A center lane, however, does not qualify as a divider and therefore does not exempt drivers from stopping. The law’s language applies uniformly to both school buses and church buses equipped with the standard flashing red lights and stop arm.

WKRC - Cincinnati

By extending the stop requirement to all roadways, the legislation aims to increase the safety of children and other passengers boarding or alighting from buses. Drivers must now be prepared to halt at any location where a bus signals a stop, potentially reducing the risk of collisions during loading periods. The broader coverage may also affect traffic flow on busy multi-lane routes, though the law’s sole exception seeks to balance safety with practical traffic considerations.

WKRC - Cincinnati

State officials have begun a public reminder campaign as the new rule takes effect, urging motorists to observe the flashing lights and stop arm signals. Compliance will be monitored by law-enforcement agencies, with violations subject to the standard penalties prescribed for traffic infractions in Kentucky.

WKRC - Cincinnati