Today I was driving on a different road then I normally drive. It was a 4 lane road with a middle lane for left hand turns. I was driving in the left of the 2 lanes going in my direction. A school bus stopped in the right hand lane of the opposite direction. I stopped. But people were annoyed behind me and swerved over to the right to go around me. I thought, “wow, really? you are in that much of a hurry that you can’t stop for a school bus?” But the way they acted made me question whether I was supposed to stop. I was pretty sure I was right. But I wanted to make sure, so I googled it.

If a bus stops from the opposite direction on a 4 lane road, are you required to stop?

It appears the laws vary slightly from state to state as defined on the Digest of Motor Laws website here. I am in Florida, so I found the specific law here: 

Section 316.172, Florida Statutes
Motor Vehicle Laws

316.172 Traffic to stop for school bus.

“Any person using, operating, or driving a vehicle on or over the roads or highways of this state shall, upon approaching any school bus which displays a stop signal, bring such vehicle to a full stop while the bus is stopped, and the vehicle shall not pass the school bus until the signal has been withdrawn.”

“The driver of a vehicle upon a divided highway with an unpaved space of at least 5 feet, a raised median, or a physical barrier is not required to stop when traveling in the opposite direction of a school bus which is stopped in accordance with the provisions of this section.”

StoppingForSchoolBusSmaller

 

So listen up Florida Drivers, if there is no median or barrier preventing a child from crossing the street, you are required to stop! Don’t speed around or beep at others who stop, don’t be in too much of a hurry that you put children at risk. Stop for your school buses!