Would you stop for church bus?

Question

Traveling on a 2 lane road (only 1 lane in each direction), a church bus stops to let children off after Sunday Morning Svc. The bus has flashing lights, but no "stop sign arm" that comes out like on school busses. There is debate in my home as to whether it is appropriate to yield/stop for this instance because the law only addresses school busses.
(This is a full sized bus)...Help settle this please!

Now that I have seen the many answers...I will feel SOOO justified in picking a fight with my impatient husband that was mad because I STOPPED! Thanx!!! :o)

Answer 1

If it is a school bus, it legally should flash the lights, and cars are required to stop. Anything other than a school bus should not have flashing lights, and drivers are not legally required to stop!

Depending on the location, flashing red lights on the front of a vehicle that is not an emergency vehicle or school bus is illegal.

While I am all for the safety of children, and all folks, I do not think is is a good idea to require people to stop for anything but emergency vehicles or actual school buses. School is a required activity. Church is not. Parents should take responsibility for their children and either meet the bus, or (even better) take the children to church themselves!!

By stopping for a non school bus, which is not required by law, you actually create a hazard for other drivers. Most people are not going to expect cars to be stopped in the middle of the road, on a Sunday morning. There is a greater potential for harm with you stopping when you are not legally required to!

Answer 2

Well, if the so called church bus you are referring to is a re-vamped 70's to 80's style school bus as most are. Then the modern safety features would not be installed as they did not arrive until the early 90's. The swinging "stop" signs, etc. So, by law if the Bus is a school bus, and not a coach class bus then yes you would have to stop.

But, if it is a coach style bus, then no, unfortunately because coach style buses, like the community bus, is not under those laws.
But I would stop if i knew "kids" were involved and x-ing the street but how would one know. If seeing the front of a coach style bus with its lights on letting people off?
thanks

Answer 3

The purpose of stopping for a school bus is so no child will be hit or "the safety of children or passengers". What makes it different? The on coming traffic is still blocked by the bus. Especially crossing a busy road, the passenger needs a break. And as you know children are unpredictable. Not sure about the law, but shouldn't common sense kick in.

Answer 4

I bus stops and turns on it's flashing lights top let everyone know there are children boarding or leaving the bus. We stop so if a child darts around the front of the bus, he or she will not be hit by a car. The bus leaves it's lights on until every child is safely where it needs to be How much time does it take out our ever so busy life's to stop and make sure every child gets to the correct side of the street safely? This is the reason I always stop for buses. I would rather be late to where ever I am headed than to hit a child with my car.

Answer 5

Debating whether it is approprate? The safety of children? If you were to hit or witness a accident involving a child getting off a church bus. Do you think you would still be debating this question? Please stop for flashing red lights, how much of your time would you lose? A child could lose their life.

Answer 6

Stop. The lights are warning you that there are children getting on/off the bus. Technically, the bus is still a school bus,----- Sunday school!

Answer 7

I would. Regardless of what type of bus it is or what the bus is used for. Due to the fact it has children getting on and off should be enough reason for anyone to stop.

Answer 8

I always stop when there are kids getting off of busses.
It does not matter if it is a church bus or a school bus.

Answer 9

Speaking as a police officer my instincts say yes you should stop. While the law does not directly address church buses You could still be cited for reckless driving if you tried to pass it and in doing so put lives in jeopardy.

Answer 10

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