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This article is sponsored content. Law Offices of James Scott Farrin
Riding the school bus is one of the most common ways children get to and from school. Therefore, at the start of this new school year, school bus safety must be a top priority for all drivers.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that children are at greater risk when boarding or exiting a school bus than while riding on it, for a variety of reasons. A child getting off the bus may be excited to see their parents, distracted by friends, or focused on getting home. Younger children may not accurately judge the speed of an oncoming vehicle. In short: drivers should never assume that a child will see them or stay out of the roadway.
Knowing what the flashing lights on a school bus mean — and when North Carolina law requires it to stop — can help prevent a tragedy.
When should you stop for a school bus in North Carolina?
The answer depends largely on what separates your vehicle from the school bus.
When a school bus stops to pick up or drop off passengers and displays its flashing red lights or stop sign, oncoming traffic in North Carolina is generally required to stop. However, there are exceptions for oncoming traffic on certain divided or multi-lane highways.
Here's a simple way to remember the most common situations:
- Two-lane road Traffic in both directions must stop.
- Two-lane road with a center turning lane Traffic in both directions must stop.
- Four-lane road without a median Traffic in both directions must stop.
- Divided highway with median Only traffic traveling in the same direction as the bus should stop.
- Road with four or more lanes and a central turning lane Generally, only traffic traveling in the same direction as the bus needs to stop.
An important point: painted lines alone do not necessarily separate you from the bus for the purposes of stop laws. On a four-lane road without a median, for example, drivers traveling in both directions must stop.
When in doubt, reduce your speed, pay close attention to the road, and leave plenty of space for the bus and the children around it.
Yellow means prepare. Red means stop.
School bus lights are designed to give drivers time to react.
The flashing yellow lights These signs indicate that the bus is preparing to stop to pick up or drop off children. Reduce your speed, increase the distance between your vehicle and the bus, and be ready to stop. Do not accelerate to try to pass the bus before it stops.
Flashing red lights and an extended stop sign These lights indicate that the bus has stopped and children may be getting on or off. If you must stop, come to a complete stop and wait. Do not proceed until the red lights stop flashing, the stop sign has been removed, and the bus is moving again.
Think of the extended stop sign as a red traffic light: stop and wait .
And don't assume it's safe to proceed just because you don't see any children. A student could be getting off the bus, walking in front of you, or preparing to cross the street.
Overtaking a stopped school bus can have serious consequences
Passing a stopped school bus is not only dangerous, but can also have serious legal consequences in North Carolina.
A violation of North Carolina's school bus stop law is generally considered a Class 1 misdemeanor with a minimum fine of $500. A conviction for passing a stopped school bus also carries a five-point reduction on the driver's license.
The consequences are significantly more serious if someone is injured. A driver who willfully violates the law and hits someone can face a Class I felony and a minimum fine of $1,250. If the person hit is killed, the offense can become a Class H felony with a minimum fine of $2,500. Certain convictions can also result in license revocation.
But the biggest consequence cannot be measured in fines or points.
A few seconds saved by overtaking a school bus never justify putting a child's life at risk.
Contact
Law Offices of James Scott Farrin/Las Oficinas Legales de James Scott Farrin
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As the school year begins, more space must be given to school buses and children.
School buses are a familiar sight, which can lead to taking fewer precautions around them. But every time you see one stopped, it means there may be children nearby, even children the drivers can't yet see.
With students returning to school, remember three simple things: slow down, stay alert, and give school buses plenty of room.
When you see the yellow lights start flashing, prepare to stop. When the red lights flash and the stop sign extends, obey the law and wait when required.
Those few extra seconds you spend waiting behind a school bus could help a child get home safe and sound.
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Remember: 👀 This is a sponsored article paid for by the Legal Offices of James Scott Farrin. Enlace Latino NC This organization does not offer legal advice or services. The information presented here is for educational purposes only. The opinions expressed are the sole responsibility of their authors.
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