CHAPTER 169 HOUSE BILL No. 2145 An Act regulating traffic; concerning passing stopped school buses; amending K.S.A. 8-1556 and repealing the existing section. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas:

      Section  1. K.S.A. 8-1556 is hereby amended to read as follows: 8-
1556. (a) The driver of a vehicle meeting or overtaking from either di-
rection any school bus stopped on the highway shall stop before reaching
such school bus when there is in operation on the school bus the flashing
red lights specified in subsection (a) of K.S.A. 8-1730, and amendments
thereto, and the driver shall not proceed until such school bus resumes
motion or the flashing red lights and the stop signal arm are no longer
actuated.

      (b) Every school bus shall be equipped with red visual signals meeting
the requirements of subsection (a) of K.S.A. 8-1730, and amendments
thereto, which may be actuated by the driver of the school bus whenever
but only whenever such vehicle is stopped on the highway for the purpose
of receiving or discharging school children. A school bus driver shall not
actuate the special visual signals:

      (1) At intersections or other places where traffic is controlled by traf-
fic-control signals or police officers; or

      (2) in designated school bus loading areas where the bus is entirely
off the roadway.

      (c) Every school bus shall bear upon the front and rear thereof plainly
visible: (1) signs containing the words ``school bus'' in letters not less than
eight inches in height; and (2) decals stating ``Warning, $100 Fine for
Passing Stopped School Bus with Red Lights Flashing and Stop Sign
Activated''.

      When a school bus is being operated upon a highway for purposes other
than the actual transportation of children either to or from school or to
or from interschool or intraschool functions or activities, or for mainte-
nance, repair or storage purposes all markings thereon indicating ``school
bus'' shall be covered or concealed.

      (d) The driver of a vehicle upon a highway with separate roadways
need not stop upon meeting or passing a school bus which is on a different
roadway or when upon a controlled-access highway and the school bus is
stopped in a loading zone which is a part of or adjacent to such highway
and where pedestrians are not permitted to cross the roadway.

      (e) The provisions of this section shall be subject to the provisions
contained in K.S.A. 8-2009a, and amendments thereto. 
Sec.  2. K.S.A. 8-1556 is hereby repealed.
 Sec.  3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its
publication in the statute book.

Approved May 29, 2002.
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