With school officially back in session, it’s incredibly important to fully understand the rules of the road involving school buses. Do you know what the laws are if you come upon a school bus along either a 2 or 4-lane road? As a personal injury lawyer in Seattle, I’d like to remind you of these laws. Afterall, if you fail yo properly yield to a school bus, you will be cited with a $400 dollar ticket that doesn’t not have the option of being reduced.
If you’re on a two lane highway, you must stop for a school bus that is flashing it’s red lights, regardless of which lane you’re in. If you’re on a highway with more than two lanes, you are only required to stop if you’re traveling in the same direction as the bus, even if that’s in a turn lane.
If you see the amber lights flashing, that’s an indicator that the bus is getting ready to stop, so you need to slow as well and take caution. Even if you’re on a 4-lane highway traveling in the opposite direction, you should still slow down and keep your eyes peeled for kids crossing the road if there is a school bus around. Once a pedestrian is in the crosswalk, you have to wait for them to completely exit for you can proceed. Keep in mind that the majority of personal injuries from a school bus take place outside the bus, so take caution. Here is a great video I found from the Washington State Patrol that outlines these traffic laws.
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