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 clarifies that drivers on highways with less than two lanes of travel must reduce their speed to fifteen miles per hour or less when approaching a school bus with flashing amber lights 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 flashing lights. However, they must reduce speed and stop when the bus is traveling in the same direction and has its red lights activated.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new section that allows for the use of recordings from external video systems on school buses as evidence in civil or criminal actions, provided the bus is transporting students. It is important to note that while the bill permits the use of such video systems, it does not mandate that school districts or bus companies install them. A violation of the amended provisions regarding school bus safety is classified as a Class 1 misdemeanor.

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