State Senator Doris Turner is championing two new laws for the road.  School buses can now have two extended stop arms and motorcycles can now be equipped with forward-facing turn signals and driving lights.  

Senator Turner says her law will allow school buses to be equipped with a maximum of two stop arms that partially obstruct the roadway.  The extensions are required to be on the driver’s side of the school bus and contain a system of flashing red lights.  This law comes into effect after school officials have seen an increase in instances when people didn’t properly stop for a school bus. According to research, 79,959 school bus drivers reported that 51,593 vehicles around the nation had illegally passed their buses on a single day during the 2021-2022 school year. 

The new motorcycle law will allow a motorcycle to be equipped with two forward-facing electric turn signals that emit a white or amber light.  Two driving lights can be added that display a steady white or amber light in addition to the already required headlamps. The law allows a motorcycle to be equipped with red-light auxiliary lighting to use while braking. 

The motorcycle bill will take effect January 1st, 2024, and the bus law was signed into law on Friday.