When driving, there are a number of laws that must be followed in order to ensure the safety of everyone on the road. One such law is the requirement to stop for a school bus when its stop arm is extended. Many drivers are unsure, however, if they need to stop when the bus is not stopped on their side of the road. In this post, we will answer that question and provide some additional information on stopping for buses.
Do you know the laws in your state?
In most states, drivers are required to stop for school buses when the bus is stopped on their side of the road and its stop arm is extended. However, there are a few states where drivers are only required to stop if the bus is stopped on their side of the divided highway. If you are unsure of the law in your state, you can check with your local DMV or department of transportation.
What if the bus is stopped on the other side of the road?
If the bus is stopped on the other side of the road, you are not required to stop. However, you should use caution when passing a stopped school bus as there may be children present who are getting on or off the bus.
State Laws for School Bus Stopping
- Alabama: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Alaska: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Arizona: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Arkansas: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its stop-arm extended and red lights flashing, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- California: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Colorado: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Connecticut: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Delaware: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Florida: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Georgia: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Hawaii: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Idaho: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Illinois: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Indiana: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Iowa: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Kansas: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Kentucky: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Louisiana: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Maine: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Maryland: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Massachusetts: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Michigan: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Minnesota: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Mississippi: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Missouri: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Montana: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Nebraska: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Nevada: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- New Hampshire: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- New Jersey: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- New Mexico: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- New York: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- North Carolina: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- North Dakota: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Ohio: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Oklahoma: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Oregon: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Pennsylvania: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Rhode Island: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- South Carolina: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- South Dakota: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Tennessee: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Texas: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Utah: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Vermont: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Virginia: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Washington: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- West Virginia: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Wisconsin: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Wyoming: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Washington, D.C.: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Puerto Rico: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- U.S. Virgin Islands: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Guam: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- American Samoa: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
- Northern Mariana Islands: Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus from either direction that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
Conclusion
As a driver, it is important to be aware of the laws in your state regarding stopping for school buses. Failing to do so can result in hefty fines and even points on your license. Be sure to use caution when driving near school buses and always yield the right of way to them. By following the law and using common sense, you can help to keep our kids safe.
FAQ:
1. When do drivers need to stop for a school bus?
Drivers need to stop for a school bus when the bus has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, regardless of whether the driver is on the same side of the road as the bus or not.
2. What are the consequences for failing to stop for a school bus?
Failing to stop for a school bus can result in hefty fines and even points on your license.
3. How can I help to keep kids safe when driving near school buses?
By following the law and using common sense, you can help to keep our kids safe. Be sure to use caution when driving near school buses and always yield the right of way to them.
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