Sharing the Road with Buses

Although riding a school bus is safer than taking the family vehicle to school, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration points out that school buses present specific challenges for other drivers. Here are some important tips for sharing the road with school buses and for driving near schools and bus stops:

1. When a school bus stops and flashes red lights, traffic approaching from either direction must stop before reaching the bus.
2. Motorists should stop at least 20 feet from the bus. Buses can easily be identified by the signage indicating "SCHOOL BUS," the unique yellow/orange paint color, and the red lights on top. Remember that school buses come in many lengths and sizes. Daycare buses may also be in the vicinity of schools and areas for drop-off and pick-up and motorist caution must be observed around them as well.
3. Be prepared to slow down and possibly stop whenever you see a school bus. Also know that school buses stop prior to entering any railroad track, so be sure not to follow too closely.
4. Know that you must remain stopped for a school bus until the red lights stop flashing, or until the bus driver or police officer/traffic director directs you to proceed.
5. In most cases, motorists must stop for a school bus even if it is on the opposite side of a divided highway.
6. Before proceeding, watch carefully for children on the side of the road and drive very cautiously until you are out of the drop-off area. Children have been known to dart across a street or not realize motorists are nearby in their excitement to go home.
7. Become familiar with your neighborhood or community bus routes. Don't assume the routes and times will remain the same from last year. Because of student ages and needs, it is likely that the routes will be changed every year. If possible, avoid those routes at the time of day of pick up or drop off of students. This will lessen your irritation from the constant stopping and starting, but not having a trail of cars behind a school bus adds to the safety of the children as well.
8. Remember who is on board a school bus. Police and school officials report irresponsible driving behavior on the part of some motorists in their quest to pass a school bus. Those passengers are precious children, and it's a high likelihood that bus routes and drop-off and pick-up zones are being monitored by law enforcement officials for any violators as well. So, when you're behind a school bus, take a deep breath, be patient, and appreciate that the children are being transported safely to school or child care settings.