Published on August 07, 2026
As students head back to school, the Lenexa Police Department reminds drivers to stay alert and know the laws regarding stopped school buses.
When a school bus activates its flashing red lights and extends its stop arm, drivers must stop and remain stopped until the lights stop flashing and the stop arm is raised. These signals indicate that children may be entering or exiting the bus and could be crossing the street.
Kansas law requires drivers traveling in both directions to stop for a school bus displaying flashing red lights and an extended stop arm, unless the roadway is divided by a physical barrier or unpaved median. Drivers should never proceed until the bus signals that it is safe to do so.
Passing a stopped school bus is not only illegal, it can have tragic consequences. Children can be difficult to see and may unexpectedly cross the roadway.
As traffic increases during the school year, please slow down in school zones, eliminate distractions and watch carefully for students near bus stops and schools. A few moments of patience can keep our children safe.