Ticket Involving a School Bus Could Cost You $695

School started in many California communities last week, while kids in other districts are enjoying their last few days of freedom.

Back-to-school comes with an important reminder from local police departments--drivers need to be extra careful around children and school buses.

And if you need added incentive to be cautious, there’s this--a ticket involving a school bus could set you back $695 or more.

Here’s a refresher on California Vehicle Code 22454(a):

Motorists must always stop when they are traveling behind a bus with flashing red lights. When vehicles are approaching a stopped bus with flashing lights from the opposite direction, drivers must stop if they are on a two lane roadway.

If motorist are on a multi-lane roadway (Divided by a raised median or a double yellow painted median) Motorists traveling the same direction must stop, while vehicles traveling in the opposite direction may continue, however, should slow and proceed with caution.

Not all buses are equipped with a stop sign arm that protrudes from the bus. The flashing red lights are regulatory and sufficient for requiring a vehicle to stop.