Understanding School Bus Traffic Law Keeps Everybody Safer
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”3441″ border_color=”grey” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]Virtually every city or town in the nation has one or more schools in its jurisdiction. Because of this, school buses can be found on almost all of the roads and highways in the country. They are used to transport students of all ages to and from schools, athletic events, and other school related functions.
School buses tend to be large and slow moving, and they often stop frequently for reasons including drop-offs, pick-ups, and even railroad tracks. Because of their special function and their sometimes unusual behavior while in traffic, it is important to know a few basic things about what to expect from school buses on the road.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]It is also vital to have some knowledge about laws that are applicable to school buses. These laws were put in place to make students and motorists safer, and understanding as well as following them is of key importance, especially for drivers new to the road.
In this article, a list of things every driver should be aware of concerning school buses and their behavior will be presented.
Practice patience around school buses
School buses are not sports cars. They are large and heavy trucks, designed this way to provide maximum protection for the occupants. Their main function is to pick up children on their way to school and to drop them off afterwards. Because of this they make frequent stops. Because of these factors, when driving around a school bus drivers should be sure to exercise patience.
Practice defensive driving skills around school buses
It is not the time to drive aggressively when operating a motor vehicle in the vicinity of school buses. Rather, drivers should cultivate an attitude of caution, and be sure to anticipate the moves of any other drivers.
Maintain the proper distance from school buses
It is important to maintain a safe distance when driving behind school buses. When driving on roads or highways, drivers should be sure to maintain at least 3 car lengths behind any school buses, and at highway speeds this distance should be increased. When a school bus comes to a stop, drivers should stop their vehicles no closer than 10 to 20 feet. Drivers should be sure to stop even when they are approaching the school bus from the opposite direction in the opposing lane. Remember that this is not just a suggestion, it is the law in all 50 states.
Stop the car completely and wait when school buses are loading or offloading
When a school bus is flashing its yellow lights that indicates that it is preparing to stop, and drivers should prepare to stop their vehicles as well. When it is stopped, its red lights are flashing, and its stop sign is extended, this means that it is taking on or dropping off passengers. Drivers in either lane are required by law to remain at a stop until the stop sign has been retracted and the flashing red lights are switched off.
Drivers should remember that most school bus related fatalities occur when drivers attempt to pass a school bus that is at a stop.
Exercise care when overtaking a school bus
Drivers should only attempt to pass a school bus when in a legal passing zone, and should be extra careful when they do so. This is because school buses have large blind spots and it may be difficult for bus drivers to see smaller vehicles.
Keep in mind that children act unpredictably
Even when the red lights and the stop sign have been deactivated, there are usually still children in the vicinity. They do not always act in predictable ways, and have been known to unexpectedly dart across the road. For this reason, drivers should be extra careful when getting underway after a school bus stop.
School buses are integral parts of the community, and are here to stay. If safe and intelligent drivers follow these simple rules, the traffic laws, and use common sense, they and those around them will have a great chance of remaining safe and sound.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Frequently asked questions
What do flashing yellow and red lights on a school bus mean?
Flashing yellow lights mean the school bus is about to stop, so drivers around it should slow down and prepare to stop too. When the red lights are flashing and the stop sign is extended, the bus is loading or unloading passengers. At that point, drivers in either direction must remain stopped until the stop sign retracts and the red lights stop flashing. Most school bus fatalities happen when drivers try to pass a bus that is at a stop, which is exactly when children are crossing the road.
How far should I stop behind a stopped school bus?
When following a school bus on a road or highway, keep at least three car lengths between you and the bus, and increase that gap at highway speeds. When the bus comes to a stop, your vehicle should come to rest no closer than 10 to 20 feet behind it. This space gives you room to react if a child runs out from in front of or behind the bus, and it keeps you clear of the driver's blind spots.
Do I have to stop for a school bus coming from the opposite direction?
Yes, in most situations. When a school bus is stopped with its red lights flashing and stop sign extended, drivers in both directions are required by law to stop, not just the cars behind it. This is the law in all 50 states. Specific exceptions exist on divided highways with a physical barrier, but the safest habit is to stop whenever you see a school bus loading or unloading, regardless of which lane you are in.
Why is overtaking a school bus especially risky?
School buses have large blind spots that make it hard for the bus driver to see smaller vehicles, motorcycles, or even children near the bus. You should only attempt to pass a school bus in a legal passing zone, and only with extra caution. Even when the red lights and stop sign have been turned off, children may still be in the vicinity and can act unpredictably, sometimes darting back across the road, so accelerate gradually as you get underway.
What mindset should drivers have around school buses?
Practice patience and defensive driving. School buses are heavy, slow-moving vehicles designed for the safety of the kids inside, not for quick acceleration, and they stop frequently for pick-ups, drop-offs, and railroad crossings. This is not the time to drive aggressively or weave around traffic. Anticipate the bus's moves, leave room, and assume that wherever there is a bus, there are probably children about to be near the road.
