Did you know that by law you must slow down to 40km/h when bus lights are flashing?

NSW has one of the largest bus fleets in Australia. The NSW Government and bus operators such as Busways are committed to working with the community to improve safety around buses. The NSW Government has implemented a campaign targeting motorists to highlight the laws around flashing bus lights. 

Lights begin to flash when the bus stops and the doors open, and they keep flashing for about 20 seconds after the doors close. Children are most at risk in the minutes after they get off the bus.

Drivers should look out for children who are crossing the road or waiting to cross. Lights flash on buses as a way to warn motorists that buses are picking up and dropping off children. By law, a driver must not overtake or pass a bus with flashing lights at more than 40km/h.

As young children are still developing skills around road safety, drivers should take care around bus stops where children might want to walk across the road.

Motorists can help reduce the risk of a crash and keep children safe by:

• Slowing down to 40km/h when bus lights are flashing
• Looking out for children crossing the road near bus stops, in school zones or along bus routes
• Giving way to buses when they merge back into traffic.

 Be Bus Aware and learn more about road safety around buses.