Stopped School Bus?

Question

Alright, today I was on my way home from getting a bite to eat. I was on our city's main road which is a 5 lane road with the middle lane having yellow lines on either side (turning lane). A school bus was stopped with lights on in the furthest right lane in the opposing direction. If I'm in the right lane of my direction am I required to stop? The guy in the lane left of me stopped, and the guy in front of me kept going. It's better to be safe than sorry so I stopped as well. But what is the legal thing to do in that situation?

Answer 1

You have to stop unless there is a lane divider, that's the rule.

Answer 2

Max, you hit it right on the head !

Answer 3

I drive a school bus and you are required to stop, there is a 250$ fine if you get caught. If the highway is divided by a wall or what ever, then if you are coming towards the bus on the other side of the wall, you do not have to stop.

Answer 4

I know in the state I'm in, if the road is not physically divided by a grass median, wall, etc....all lanes are required to stop.

Answer 5

Always stop for a school bus, no matter the direction or what is between you.

Answer 6

Divided highways require stoppage..

Answer 7

The best way to get a good answer is to check your state's laws.  Generally speaking, if the street is one where children may/might cross then traffic in both directions should stop.  If the street has a physical barrier that prevents pedestrians from crossing then in all likelihood you needn't stop.  What you did was both correct and lawful.  The street, as you describe it, is one where the children might exit the bus and dart across the street.

Answer 8

OE is right. If in doubt, however, the safe thing to do is stop. You don't want to be the person that runs over a child.

Answer 9

The only time it would have been safe to continue is if the divided highway had an actual median (with soil). If school kids have a place to safely stop after crossing part of the road, it would have been OK for you to continue driving.

You did the right thing.