Driving Around School Buses and Emergency Vehicles in Nevada

Did you know the Clark County School District (CCSD) has the largest fleet of district-owned school buses in the nation? With almost 2,000 school buses on hand in that district alone, it’s important to understand best practices for sharing the road with passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, school buses and emergency vehicles.

Nevada traffic laws outline a number of specific requirements for drivers who encounter emergency vehicles and school transportation vehicles on our local roadways. Here is a brief primer on some of those requirements and an explanation of how violating these traffic laws can put drivers in legal jeopardy.

Do I have to stop for school buses?

Under Nevada law, drivers are required to stop their vehicles when encountering a school bus that is loading or unloading students or displaying signs, signals or lights. Failing to stop or attempting to pass a school bus under these conditions is a misdemeanor according to state law and punishable by fines of $250 to $500 for a first offense.

You are only allowed to continue driving past a stopped school bus if you are traveling on the opposite side of a divided highway or if an authorized traffic officer directs you to proceed. A highway in Nevada is essentially any public road open to vehicle traffic. School buses are some of the most protected vehicles on Nevada roads because of the precious cargo they carry, and drivers who violate school bus-related traffic laws may put themselves and others in harm’s way.

Decoding school bus light signals

While many school buses are equipped with stop signs that make it easy to tell when children are being loaded or unloaded, drivers should also stay attuned to flashing light signals that tell them when to slow down, stop and proceed. If a bus’s lights are flashing yellow, you should slow down and prepare to stop. If the bus lights are flashing red, you should come to an immediate stop.

If you aren’t sure whether to stop, it’s often best to err on the side of caution. Passing a school bus while children are present isn’t just illegal – it’s dangerous. You can help keep your neighbors safe by slowing down, stopping and proceeding only after you’ve been cleared to do so.

What about emergency vehicles?

Emergency vehicles are protected under Nevada law much like school buses are. In the state of Nevada, drivers are required to follow a number of established protocols when encountering emergency vehicles like police cars, fire trucks and ambulances on local roadways. According to NRS § 484B.267, if an emergency vehicle approaches with its lights and/or sirens on, drivers should:

• Yield the right of way to the emergency vehicle
• Pull over as far as possible to the right edge or curb of the roadway
• Come to a complete stop and remain stopped until the emergency vehicle has passed

Drivers must yield and stop for approaching emergency vehicles with lights or sirens activated, and must comply with separate ‘Move Over’ requirements when emergency vehicles are stopped roadside. By following these laws, drivers can not only protect themselves from a potentially catastrophic high-speed collision, but can help to support first responders in their efforts to respond promptly to emergencies. Unlike the rules for school buses, the emergency vehicle statutes do not have an exception for divided highways. So, even if you’re traveling in the opposite direction of an emergency vehicle on a divided highway, you are still required to pull over as far as possible to the right edge or curb of the highway.

What is Nevada’s “Move Over” law?

In addition to the emergency vehicle protocols outlined above, Nevada law also requires that drivers slow down and move to the furthest lane possible when approaching an emergency vehicle, or other covered vehicle, that is stopped or slowed on the side of the road with flashing lights. This law extends to emergency vehicles like police cars, fire trucks, ambulances and Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) vehicles.

As of October of 2017, Nevada’s “Move Over” law expanded to apply to any traffic incident motorists might encounter while navigating local roadways. Currently, the law also applies to crash scenes, stalled or crashed vehicles, pedestrians trying to repair their vehicle, and debris on the roadway. This law aims to prevent pile-up accidents and to ensure the safety of first responders, NDOT workers, other drivers and even pedestrians.

Penalties for emergency vehicle-related violations

In accordance with state law, certain violations of emergency-vehicle right-of-way laws are classified as misdemeanors and may serve as the basis for enhanced penalties. The same holds true for violations of Nevada’s “Move Over” law. While some other misdemeanor traffic violations have been downgraded to civil infractions by legislative action, certain emergency-vehicle right-of-way and Move Over violations may be charged as misdemeanors, particularly where safety is endangered.

As such, the penalties for these misdemeanor offenses may include:

• Fines of up to $1,000
• Points added to drivers’ licenses
• Up to six months imprisonment
• Possible sentence conversion to community service

In the event that one of these traffic violations results in a collision, drivers may face even harsher penalties and find themselves the subject of civil claims for liability. If an accident victim can prove that a driver caused their injuries while violating established traffic laws, they may be able to use that violation as evidence of negligence and fight to recover damages accordingly.

Traffic violations and civil liability

Accidents involving school buses and emergency vehicles are often the result of preventable behaviors – many of which are explicitly prohibited by state law. If speeding, failure to yield, or illegal passing of a school bus or emergency vehicle causes or contributes to personal injury or property damage, the driver responsible for those behaviors could find themselves in significant legal jeopardy.

An experienced accident lawyer can help crash victims evaluate how traffic law violations may have played a role in the collision that injured them and work to build a strong case for compensation against the negligent party. Some examples of damages commonly sought in these cases include compensation for:

• Hospital bills
• Emergency treatment costs
• Prescription medications
• Rehabilitation or physical therapy costs
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of limbs
• Wrongful death

Drivers who fail to adhere to traffic laws regarding school buses and emergency vehicles are putting already vulnerable community members at an increased risk of harm. For this reason, victims of these crashes often need extensive legal and financial support to ensure their past, present and future recovery needs are provided for. The sooner you can speak with an experienced Nevada accident lawyer, the sooner you can begin taking the necessary steps towards pursuing the compensation you deserve.

Final thoughts

Given the potentially catastrophic consequences of traffic violations involving school buses and emergency vehicles, it’s vital that drivers familiarize themselves with and adhere to Nevada’s traffic laws. A single moment of impatience and frustration can have life-long consequences for yourself and for those around you. Don’t risk it – slow down, stop, move over and do whatever it takes to keep others safe.

At Claggett & Sykes Trial Lawyers, we understand that school buses and emergency vehicles play a vital role in transporting vulnerable and valued members of our community. When a driver’s negligence or recklessness puts these individuals at risk, our team is standing by to help injured victims seek justice.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving a school bus or emergency vehicle in Las Vegas, give us a call now or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation with a member of our team. We can help you understand your legal options and evaluate how violations of Nevada traffic law may impact your recovery options.