School Bus Stop on a Two-Lane Road With a Raised Median
You are driving a 72-passenger school bus on a four-lane road with two lanes in each direction and a raised concrete median separating the directions. You are carrying 40 students. You need to stop to pick up children on the right side of your direction of travel. The speed limit is 45 mph, and traffic in your direction is moderate. A car is following about two seconds behind. Across the median, traffic is moving in the opposite direction. Your route sheet says to use the designated stop 200 feet ahead, where the shoulder is wide and paved.
1. Must you use the stop arm and flashing red lights at this stop, and does opposing traffic have to stop?
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On a divided highway with a raised median, opposing traffic is not required to stop for a school bus on the other side of the median, because the median separates the directions of travel. You must still follow your state's rules and your district policy, but the key judgment is that the red lights and stop arm warn traffic in your direction. Use the designated stop 200 feet ahead rather than stopping in a travel lane. Activate your right turn signal early, check mirrors, and move onto the paved shoulder. Because the following car is only about two seconds back, begin slowing gradually and give a clear signal so the driver can react. Do not wave students across until traffic in your direction has stopped and you have confirmed the scene is clear.
2. How should you manage the students and the following car during the stop?
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Slow early and smoothly so the car behind has time to stop, and use your amber warning lights before the red lights if your bus is equipped that way. Stop with the bus fully off the travel lane, set the parking brake, and place the transmission in neutral or park per policy. Count the students as they board and confirm each is seated before moving. Keep the red lights and stop arm deployed until all students are clear of the roadway and seated. Before pulling out, check both mirrors, signal, and recheck that the following car has stopped or passed. If the car does not stop, keep students on the shoulder and do not release them into the lane.