A driver commits this violation by not stopping as required when approaching a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children and is using its warning signals.

That usually means passing the bus, rolling through without fully stopping, or trying to beat the stop before children cross the road. The reason the rule is strict is simple: children can step into traffic quickly and may be hard to see, especially on narrow roads or in busy seasonal traffic. On roads like US-1 in Maine, where visibility and traffic flow can change fast, a few seconds of impatience can turn into a serious crash.

For an injury claim, a ticket for failure to stop for a school bus can strongly affect who is seen as at fault. If a child, parent, crossing aide, or another driver is hurt, the violation may be used as evidence of negligence. That can influence liability, insurance negotiations, and whether a personal injury case settles or goes to court.

In Maine, the rule appears in 29-A M.R.S. § 2060 (2024), often called the law on passing a stopped school bus. Drivers must stop for a bus displaying red flashing lights, with a limited exception for traffic traveling the opposite direction on a divided way separated by a median or other physical barrier. A violation can bring fines, license consequences, and much more serious exposure if someone is injured.