As Colorado students head back to school, the Colorado State Patrol is reminding drivers that a new law is in effect related to how to stop for school buses.

The new law, SB 25-1230, was enacted in May. It requires drivers who are approaching a school bus from an oncoming lane to stop unless there is a physical barrier separating the opposing directions of traffic.

If there are painted lines or a painted median separating the opposing directions of traffic, drivers approaching from the oncoming lane must stop. Only when there is a median that is either raised or depressed or a physical barrier separating the lanes can drivers from the oncoming lane continue with caution.

The goal of the new law is to protect children traveling on school buses. Over the last five years, there have been five crashes involving school buses that resulted from drivers failing to stop for a stopped school bus displaying flashing red lights, according to the State Patrol.

Under Colorado law, drivers must stop at least 20 feet before reaching a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing, whether it is on the side of the road, the opposite side of the road or at an intersection. 

Drivers must remain stopped until the flashing red lights are no longer operating. When the red lights are off and the school bus begins to move, drivers should use caution as there could be children crossing or near the roadway, according to the State Patrol.