For many in Texas, K-12 schools starts today. School buses will be back on our roads picking up kids to take them to and from school. Do you remember what the laws are regarding school buses?
When a school bus stops
Texas state laws are pretty clear on what is expected of drivers approaching a stopped school bus.
- All drivers on a highway, when approaching from either direction a school bus stopped on the highway to receive or discharge a student
- Shall stop before reaching the school bus when the bus is operating a visual signal… (the red lights are flashing and/or the stop sign on the left side is extended)
- May not proceed until
- The school bus resumes motion
- The operator (driver) is signaled by the bus driver to proceed
- The visual signal is no longer actuated
- An operator (driver) on a highway having separate roadways is not required to stop
- For a school bus that is on a different roadway or
- In on a controlled – access highway, for a school bus that is stopped
- In a loading zone that is a part of or adjacent to the highway and
- Where pedestrians are not permitted to cross the roadway
- For the purposes of this section
- A highway is considered to have separate roadways only if the highway has roadways separated by an intervening space on which operation of vehicles is not permitted, a physical barrier or a clearly indicated dividing section constructed to impede vehicular traffic and
- A highway is not considered to have separate roadways if the highway has roadways separated only by a left turn lane
- Note in Texas traffic code, the term “highway” is defined to mean any public roadway including city streets
- Also note, school buses are required to stop at rail road crossings and drivers do not have to stop for a bus in this instance
In addition to buses, remember the schools zones are active now too. Flashing yellow lights means driving 20 miles per hour if in the city and no use of a cellular device. Be safe out there and let’s protect our kids.
