27-51-1002. Specifications for identification and safety devices.
27-51-1004. Passing when stopped prohibited.
27-51-1005. Operation on multiple lane or divided highways.
Cross References. Use of officially designated school bus colors or words “school bus” unlawful, § 27-50-310.
Effective Dates. Acts 1973, No. 579, § 3: Apr. 3, 1973. Emergency clause provided: “It is hereby found and determined by the General Assembly that the requirements regarding the installation and operation, and other specifications for flasher lights on school buses prescribed in subsection (c) of Section 1 of Act 356 of 1953 are not appropriate with respect to all buses to which such requirements are applicable and that it is in the best interests of the State of Arkansas and the public schools of this State that the requirements for flasher lights on school buses be prescribed by regulation of the State Board of Education rather than by statutory law; and that this Act is immediately necessary to remove such statutory requirements and to specifically authorize the State Board of Education to prescribe the requirements for flasher lights on school buses. Therefore, an emergency is hereby declared to exist and this Act being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval.”
Acts 1975, No. 255, § 4: Feb. 24, 1975. Emergency clause provided: “It is hereby found and determined by the General Assembly that the safety of thousands of school children who must ride buses to school is largely dependent upon compliance with the law requiring motorists to come to a complete stop while school children are entering and leaving a school bus; and it is further found that the adequate enforcement of the school bus laws and the ability of motorists to comply with said laws is dependent upon school buses being adequately marked and displaying the necessary flasher lights and upon said lights being operated while loading or discharging school children; and it is further found that an amendment to subsection (c) of Section 1 of Act 356 of 1953 omitted the requirement that said lights be operating at all times while buses are loading or discharging school children, and that said requirement should be included in the law; and it is further found that the current minimum fine ($10.00) for violation of any of the provisions of Act 356 of 1953, as amended, is less than most witnesses would lose in wages to appear in court and testify against a violator of said provisions, and that said minimum fine should be increased; and, that the immediate passage of this Act is necessary to encourage compliance with Act 356 of 1953, as amended, for the remainder of the current school year. Therefore, an emergency is hereby declared to exist, and this Act being immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval.”
Acts 1989, No. 243, § 4: Feb. 24, 1989. Emergency clause provided: “It is hereby found and determined by the General Assembly that current wording in the law makes it unclear that vehicles encountering a school bus stopped at traffic control devices and not discharging or receiving passengers may proceed through the intersection; that as a result of this confusion, enforcement of this provision has proven difficult; that literal enforcement of the current law would result in an absurdity; therefore, an emergency is hereby declared to exist and this act being necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval.”
Research References
Am. Jur. 7A Am. Jur. 2d, Auto., § 269.
C.J.S. 60A C.J.S., Motor Veh., § 396(3).