This 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 drivers on highways with less than two lanes must reduce their speed to fifteen miles per hour or less when approaching a school bus with its amber lights flashing and must come to a complete stop when the bus has its red lights flashing, maintaining a distance of at least fifteen feet. For highways with two or more lanes in each direction, drivers are not required to reduce speed or stop when the bus is traveling in the opposite direction with its amber or red lights flashing. However, if the bus is traveling in the same direction and has its amber lights on, drivers must reduce speed, and they must stop if the bus has its red lights flashing.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new provision allowing recordings from external video systems on school buses, which can capture traffic activity around the bus, to be used as evidence in civil or criminal actions. It clarifies that while these video systems can be utilized, there is no obligation for school districts or bus companies to install them. A violation of the amended school bus safety regulations is classified as a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/24/2025: 32-32-6
Enrolled, 03/04/2025: 32-32-6