USA Bus Lines

Is it unlawful for a school bus to stop on a divided street and have the kids walk across it to board?

The kids have to walk across 2 lanes of traffic, a grassy median, and then across 2 more lanes of traffic to board the bus. I thought the bus has to stop NEXT TO the bus stop where the kids are standing. Anyone know the answer?

Public Comments

1. They can stop there, that's why traffic must stop.
2. You are right. That is illegal and should be reported. Children are not even supposed to walk across two laned streets to get to the bus
3. A bus has a stop sign to stop traffic behind and coming towards the bus. But for double lanes!!! You need to get in contact with the schools transportation providers and tell them this issue and how it is unsafe to board the bus this way.
4. Depends on your state, laws vary. I am in Texas and I have never seen that! I know we as auto drivers do not have to stop if there is a grassy median in the road and we are traveling in traffic against the bus' path.... Call your schools transportation dept. or your local Dept. Of Safety and ask. Good luck and I hope your children are safe!
5. I am pretty sure that is illegal. When I was in school I was not even allowed to cross a normal road. I would watch the bus pass and then come back around to my side. I don't know where you live and the driving laws there, but in New Jersey if there is a median (in your case the grass) the drivers on the other side of the bus do not have to stop when the bus's lights are flashing. That means if a child got off on the wrong side of the road, he would have to play frogger across the road, which is completely wrong. I would call the bus company that buses your child. Possibly get in touch with other parents that have the same problem and have them speak up as well. Good Luck.
6. Yeah, that doesn't sound right, because on a divided street traffic on the other side of the division isn't required to stop. This is particularly dangerous because lots of times motorists fail to stop for school buses even on the same side of the street. I would call the school district or bus company (whoever is in charge of the bus routes) and ask them to consider revising the route and examining other routes for similar dangers. Failing that, take it to the school board. Don't be afraid to make a nuisance of yourself. This is your children's safety you're talking about here.
7. Nope..............that is not legal in any state. Try this site it may help..... http://www.lcs.k12.va.us/main_web_site_materials/busrules.htm
8. I would talk to the principle and maybe the cops. Cars stop for the bus on the side it's on but they normally don't stop on the other divided side.Some one is going to get hit the way he is doing it.
9. The bus is supposed to stop next to the bus stop or where the children are standing. The bus driver should not stop both lanes of traffic. If the children have to cross both lanes of traffic, that would mean traffic on both sides would be stopped which is un-lawful. So to answer your question, this is an error on the bus driver. He/she should always go to the children not have children cross two lanes to get to the bus because it also presents a safety issue.
10. Not allowed in Canada. Opposing traffic on a divided street does not have to stop for the boarding flashers. If a bus discharged passengers there they would be crossing into moving traffic. Not a good idea and totally illegal. A bus driver here would be charged for doing that.