If a school bus is stopped with red lights flashing, are you allowed to go around?

Question

I was walking to the subway station and I saw a school bus stopped with red lights flashing. However, I saw all these cars going around the bus. Can't you get a ticket for that and isn't it a hefty fine? I don't know driving rules since I take mass transit to work and don't drive a car.

Answer 1

Depending on where you live, traffic rules are different. No matter where you live, it is illegal to bas a bus with red lights flashing, if it is on a residential street. The bus actually puts out a double sided stop sign on the drivers side, alerting people to the loading and unloading of children. However, in some areas, when you have a three lane (one going each direction, as well as a center turn lane) or four lane (two each way) road, it depends on the area. Where I live, on streets like those, if you have two children who live on the street, but on opposite sides, the bus drivers MUST drop each off in front of their house. In some areas, like where my brother lives, the bus driver does not have to do this, depending on how busy the street is. You must also stop at least 10 feet from the bus.

In response to your other questions, yes you can get a ticket for that, and a mandatory court appearance, depending on the state. The fines start out in the triple digits, near $500 to start here. Some areas require jail time, others require community service. Some vicinities require only the fine.

Hope this answers you question!

Answer 2

In general, no, you are not allowed to pass or go around. Most modern school buses are equipped with not only red lights, but a retractable stop sign that pops out when the bus is stopped. The reason for this, is that many times children boarding or exiting the bus may be crossing in front of the bus to cross the street. Since the bus is hard to see around, this can be very dangerous and has resulted in many accidents.

However, the laws concerning fines and the details of laws on multi-lane or divided highways are established locally.

Answer 3

If the red lights are flashing then yes you are supposed to stop. For those that do not and get caught or are turned in can pay a very hefty fine. I know a couple of school bus drivers that keep a small notebook and pen handy and when this type of thing happens; they take down the plate number and then turn it in to the local police.

Answer 4

You can pass the bus with red lights flashing ONLY on a divided highway, and only when you are traveling in the opposite direction of the bus.

Answer 5

Yes, it is illegal & yes, it comes with hefty fines. In fact, the school bus driver just has to write down the tag numbers & give them to the local PD & those passing drivers can actually get arrested. At least that is what happened to a co-worker of mine. Boy was she surprised when her husband called at about 11am to tell her that the police were at the house with a warrant for her arrest. And yes, they were at the office within an hour & off to jail she went.

Answer 6

Absolutely NOT. Cars going both directions are supposed to stop when the red lights are flashing.

Answer 7

No, you cannot drive around a school bus that has its red lights flushing, and of course you can get a ticket for it.

Answer 8

NO! When they have their lights flashing and the little stop sign is out, you have to wait behind the bus. It's illegal to go around.

Answer 9

Tombollock is right. ONLY on a divided highway going the opposite direction. In ALL other circumstances, it is illegal. I haven't seen too many busses stopping on a divided highway, though. Maybe once or twice in my life.

Answer 10

No, it is against the law. You are not allowed to pass a bus on either side.