ST. PAUL, Minn. – (Aug. 3, 2017) – Each year, Aug. 1 marks the beginning of new laws in the state. One significant change this year involves increasing fines for drivers who don’t stop for school bus stop arms.
The fine is now $500 for any driver who drives through the sign on the side of the bus. During the annual school stop arm survey earlier this year, bus drivers across the state reported 703 stop arm violations in just one day. According to Minnesota law, motorists must stop at least 20 feet from a school bus that is displaying red flashing lights.
For extra safety, students who try to cross the road should wait for the bus driver to signal it’s safe to cross the street and make eye contact with motorists before proceeding to cross the road.
Other new laws guarantee that doctors who treat patients online or over the phone have the same standards as doctors seen in person. The state has also named nine more synthetic drugs as Schedule One drugs. The state also passed a law indicating that children as young as 10 years old have to be informed of their right to an attorney while talking to police.
For more new laws, click here.
