School buses are designed to get our children from home to school and back again in the safest manner possible. Those of us sharing the road with school buses must do our part to keep children safe as well. To make sure children make it from Point A to Point B safe and sound, there is a particular law we have to follow when we encounter a school bus.
Not following these law to the letter can carry stiff consequences. It could also lead to a major increase in the cost of your insurance.
Your vehicle must come to a complete stop once a school bus is preparing to stop, or has come to a stop. Once you see those red and yellow lights flashing and the stop arm extending, you must stop your vehicle. Only when the stop arm has retracted may you proceed. Even then, you'll need to move slowly and cautiously, watching for children crossing the area.
Stopping for a school bus is required by law in the following situations:
- When driving on a two-way highway.
- When following a school bus on a four-lane or multi-lane highway.
- When trying to pass a school bus that has red or amber lights flashing.
There are specific instances in which you do not have to stop for a school bus. These instances include:
- When the school bus is in a passenger loading zone away from main travel lanes and pedestrian zones.
- When traveling in the opposite direction of a school bus on a multi-lane highway or private road.
In any instance requiring you to stop behind a school bus, you cannot proceed until the amber or red signals have stopped flashing and the stop arm has completely retracted. Not waiting for these things could get you in some serious trouble!
