Editorial

Stopping for buses

Every year, as schools open, many motorists seem confused about when to stop or when it's OK to pass if a school bus is loading or unloading passengers. Here's a quick review of the section on school buses from the Missouri Driver Guide:On two-lane streets or roads, whether traffic is two-way or one-way, motorists must stop when the "flashing red lights and the stop signal arm are activated. ... You must remain stopped until the bus moves or the bus driver signals for you to proceed. Proceed with caution."

That's the easy part. What about stopping for school buses on four-lane roads and streets? From the driver guide: "The following are situations when you do not have to stop:

"1. When you are traveling the opposite direction of a school bus on a highway divided by a median where the vehicles traveling one direction are on a totally separate road from the vehicles traveling the opposite direction;

"2. When you are traveling the opposite direction of a school bus on a highway containing four or more lanes of traffic; or

"3. When a school bus is stopped in a loading zone (at a school) where students are not permitted to cross the roadway."

Got it? Ready for a pop quiz?

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