The Bus on the Other Side of the Median
At 8:05 a.m. on a school day, you are westbound on a four-lane divided highway with two lanes in each direction and a raised concrete median. The posted speed limit is 40 mph. An eastbound school bus on the opposite side has stopped in its right lane with red lights flashing and its stop arm extended. Children are stepping off the bus and moving toward the eastbound shoulder. You are in the westbound right lane, 150 feet from the bus, traveling 40 mph. A westbound SUV is in the left lane beside you. There is no crosswalk, no traffic signal, and no crossing guard. The median is about four feet wide and planted with low shrubs. You can see the children clearly over the shrubs.
1. Must you stop? Explain how the raised median affects the rule.
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On a divided highway with a physical median separating the directions, you are not required to stop for a school bus that is stopped on the opposite side with its red lights flashing and stop arm out. The stop requirement applies to traffic traveling in the same direction as the bus, and to opposite-direction traffic on an undivided road. The raised concrete median here is a physical separation, so the bus's red lights do not impose a stop requirement on your westbound lane. That does not mean you may ignore the scene: children are nearby and may move unpredictably. You should slow, cover the brake, and be ready to stop if a child enters your lane. The median reduces the legal duty but not the duty of care.
2. What if the median were only a double yellow line with no physical barrier?
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If the median were only a painted double yellow line, the road would be undivided for this purpose. In that case, traffic approaching from both directions must stop for a school bus with flashing red lights and an extended stop arm, and you must stop at least 25 feet away from the bus. The westbound SUV beside you would also be required to stop. The presence of children and the stop arm would control, not the number of lanes. You should not proceed until the red lights stop flashing and the stop arm is withdrawn, and you should continue to watch for children who may cross after the bus starts moving.
3. A child suddenly steps into your westbound lane. What now?
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Stop immediately, regardless of the divided-highway rule. The legal minimum does not excuse you from avoiding a child in your path. Brake firmly, keep the steering stable, and sound the horn only if it will warn the child without causing panic. Do not swerve blindly into the left lane, especially with the SUV beside you; a controlled stop is safer than an evasive maneuver that could cause a multi-vehicle crash. Once stopped, remain stopped until the child is clear and you can see that no other children are following. The earlier decision to slow and cover the brake is what gives you a chance to react here.