Careers: Police/bus

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Expert: - 10/5/2009


Question
Recently I was at an traffic light-intersection. I was taking a left, and on the other side of the road, diagonal to me, a school bus was unloading children.

The bus finished loading before the light turned green, but had I turned, I would have turned in front of the bus, but not driven entirely past it.

Is this still illegal, even though I wouldn't have been driving past the bus, but merely passing by it (in front of it)?  

Answer
Hi John,

As long as you do not pass the bus you are not in violation of Passing a Stopped School bus.

In Florida, you do not need to stop for a school bus that is loading or unloading going the opposite direction if there is a raised median of at least 5'. If there is then you can pass the bus if your going the opposite direction.


Here is Florida's law:
316.172  Traffic to stop for school bus.--

(1)(a)  Any person using, operating, or driving a vehicle on or over the roads or highways of this state shall, upon approaching any school bus which displays a stop signal, bring such vehicle to a full stop while the bus is stopped, and the vehicle shall not pass the school bus until the signal has been withdrawn. A person who violates this section commits a moving violation, punishable as provided in chapter 318.

(b)  Any person using, operating, or driving a vehicle that passes a school bus on the side that children enter and exit when the school bus displays a stop signal commits a moving violation, punishable as provided in chapter 318, and is subject to a mandatory hearing under the provisions of s. 318.19.

(2)  The driver of a vehicle upon a divided highway with an unpaved space of at least 5 feet, a raised median, or a physical barrier is not required to stop when traveling in the opposite direction of a school bus which is stopped in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(3)  Every school bus shall stop as far to the right of the street as possible and shall display warning lights and stop signals as required by rules of the State Board of Education before discharging or loading passengers. When possible, a school bus shall not stop where the visibility is obscured for a distance of 200 feet either way from the bus.

Hope that answers your question..

Be well and be safe..

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