School Buses

I am a school bus driver and when the yellow overhead lights come on you are supposed to slow down and stop. The driver is NOT supposed to put out the stop sign until she is sure all traffic around her has stopped. When that stop sign is out it means the passenger door is open and the kids can come running out, although they are supposed to wait until the driver gives the all clear sign to cross the street.
The yellow flashers can be used ONLY if the bus is totally off the road and then you can pass. Many people don't know the difference between the upper and lower yellow lights.

 

This is why I always stop for a school bus, don't care if it's the yellow hazard lights or the red stop lights flashing.

http://www.letsrememberadam.org/adamstory.html

 

I have driven school busses in the past and as a driver I had complete control over the children and the circumstances that they got off the bus. Common sense says that a semi can not stop on a dime so err on the side of safety and allow the truck to pass and do their job. Never be a smart ### bus driver and see can they stop cause you may be disappointed and responsible if an accident occurs involving a child.

 

I ran a stop once. Saw the bus coming lifted off the throttle. Yellows come on so I tried to slow down but couldn't the ice on the road wouldn't let me stop.

He was watching me the whole time so I assume he knew I wasnt stopping yet he opened the door and the redlights came on the whole time watching me slide past him.

I didn't see if he had the door the whole way open or not as I was trying to keep control as best I could and not hit the freaking bus. He may have been in shock and habit told him to open the door but I would of thought he would of waited for me to get by before he turned on the reds and kids came to get on the bus. It was in the a.m. and I am glad the kids were on the left side and not the right as its hard to tell what would have happened. The kids see red lights and say ok its time to get on the bus not thinking of traffic.

That one experience I never want to see again.

 

I'd be more worried about hitting and killing someone than a #### ticket. When you come up on a light that's been green a while, what you ought to do is back out of it a little and be ready for the light to turn red. If you see a school bus on a residential street, you ought to be ready to stop for it. You don't need to stop on a dime, you need to use some sense.

 

school bus drivers.... sigh.

 

So, a bus slowed and stopped with yellow lights flashing. What did you think was going to happen next, Copernicus? Good chance the stop sign is about to come out, so maybe slow down in advance next time.