The bus was pulled over on a right turn lane, main lane was open ... it was flashing, but the stop sign never came out so I thought it was ok to go. I did slow to a crawl, however the people across me and behind me all stopped , so I think I screwed up. The stop sign did eventually come out but only after I passed. Anyone know for sure?
2007-01-16 08:58:05 · 14 answers · asked by moocow 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
I'm not sure what your question is but you did violate the law.
2007-01-16 09:02:12 · answer #1 · answered by cheri b 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Each state describes how certain vehicles, to include school buses are to be marked and lighted. Even though the "sign" was not extended, you're neglect in not stopping when the lights were flashing was a violation of the law. To my knowledge, ALL states require ALL lanes of traffic (both directions) stop despite the lane the bus is in during the stop. As an officer, I can assure you that the stop sign is not the determining factor in what you are required to do but is an addition to that of the red flashing lights.
2007-01-16 09:05:07 · answer #2 · answered by KC V ™ 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
The yellow flashing lights are like the yellow light on a traffic signal. It lets people know that the bus is going to be stopping soon, so be ready. Once the reds start flashing, and the sign pops out, you must stop.
2007-01-16 09:27:37 · answer #3 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I once stopped behind a schoolbus like that, too. I didn't know whether to proceed, since the stop sign wasn't out, or to just stay stopped, since lights were flashing. After several minutes (it felt like minutes.. maybe only seconds, though) the driver stuck his hand out the window and waved for me to go on. As I passed, I noticed there was no one on his bus at all... Maybe he was taking a break?
From what I've heard, the sign HAS to be out for you to HAVE to stop... but it doesn't hurt to assume the bus driver "forgot" and to slow down like you did.
2007-01-16 09:42:08 · answer #4 · answered by scruffycat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The writing on the back of the school bus says, "Stop when red lights flash". If the red lights were flashing, you should have stopped. Not every school bus is equiped with the swing-out stop sign.
2007-01-16 10:28:22 · answer #5 · answered by BubbaB 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If the red lights are flashing, you must stop. If the stop sign is out, you must stop. Failure to stop for either one (or both) would be an infraction of the law in California for which you could receive a ticket.
2007-01-18 17:31:33 · answer #6 · answered by James P 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You are only legally obligated to stop if the sign is out. It is safer to stop when they pull over but the lights start flashing to warn you they will be stopping - kind of like a yellow light. You did nothing wrong but be careful trying to slip around a bus.
2007-01-16 09:04:34 · answer #7 · answered by Wolfpacker 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Once those red lights start to flash stop.
Don't depend on the stop sign being pulled out.
2007-01-16 09:03:53 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
You still should have stopped if the bus was stopped. The children could run off that bus at any time even without the driver telling them no.
2007-01-16 09:07:08 · answer #9 · answered by greylady 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
As long as the STOP sign isn't out you're OK. You did the right thing by slowing way down. There is an elementary school near where I live and I go through this almost daily. It's no sweat.
2007-01-16 09:02:42 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
Yellow flashing means proceed with caution and red lights means stop. Stop sign means nothing
2007-01-16 09:02:33 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋