The bill amends existing laws regarding school bus safety in South Dakota, specifically addressing the behavior of motor vehicle operators when approaching school buses. It stipulates that when approaching a school bus with its amber warning lights flashing, drivers on highways with less than two lanes in each direction or on private roads must reduce their speed to fifteen miles per hour or less and proceed with caution. Additionally, when a school bus has its red signal lights flashing, drivers must come to a complete stop at least fifteen feet away from the bus and remain stopped until the lights are no longer flashing. The bill also clarifies that drivers on highways with two or more lanes do not need to reduce speed or stop when the bus is traveling in the opposite direction.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a new section that allows for the use of recordings from external video systems on school buses, which can capture traffic activity around the bus. These recordings are discoverable and can be used as evidence in civil or criminal actions. However, it is specified that no school district or bus company is mandated to install such video systems under this Act. The penalties for violations of these provisions have been increased from a Class 2 misdemeanor to a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/24/2025: 32-32-6