Tipp of the Week: When to stop for a school bus
Hello Tipp City! Sgt. Marc Bayse (Ret.) here;
Where has the summer gone? It seems as if I blinked, and the summer is ending!
With summer ending, that means it's back to school time. Back to School means those yellow behemoths, also known as school busses, will roam our city streets and county roads again.
The Ohio Department of Public Safety has a new ad campaign called “Stop Means Stop.”
#STOPmeansSTOP for school buses! Stay alert and know when to stop: On a two or three-lane road – drivers on BOTH SIDES of the road must stop when a bus is dropping off or picking up students. On roads with four or more lanes, drivers traveling in the opposite direction of the bus DO NOT have to stop.
In Ohio, understanding when it is permissible to pass a school bus and when it is not is essential for all drivers.
The laws governing school bus safety are not just guidelines, but crucial measures designed to protect our children. Violating these laws can result in severe penalties, including fines, driver's license points, and even suspension. Let's not take chances with our children's safety.
When Not to Pass a School Bus In Ohio, the rule is clear: drivers must stop when a school bus picks up or drops off children, and its red lights are flashing with the stop sign arm extended. This applies to all vehicles approaching the bus from either direction on a road with fewer than four lanes. The law is stringent because children may cross the road to reach the bus, putting them in potential danger if other vehicles do not stop. The only exception is if you are on the opposite side of a divided highway, which means the road has a physical barrier or a median separating the lanes. Drivers must remain stopped until the bus resumes motion, the driver signals that it is safe to proceed, or the bus turns off its flashing lights and retracts the stop arm.
Remember, impatience can be dangerous when it comes to school bus safety. Children are unpredictable and may dash across the road unexpectedly. Even if you do not see children immediately, Ohio law requires that you stay stopped as long as the bus's signals are active. Let's all practice patience and vigilance to ensure our children's safety.
When You Can Pass a School Bus: There are specific instances when it is legal to pass a school bus in Ohio. If you are driving on a road with four or more lanes and approaching the bus from the opposite direction, you are not required to stop. This is because children will not cross such a wide road. However, if you are driving in the same direction as the bus, even on a multi-lane road, you must still stop when the bus is loading or unloading children. Additionally, if the bus has stopped off the road, such as in a designated pull-off area where children do not need to cross the street, you may pass cautiously. However, always be alert for children who might unexpectedly cross the road.
Ohio’s laws are designed to protect children by requiring drivers to stop when a school bus is loading or unloading students, with specific exceptions for divided highways and multi-lane roads. Being aware of and adhering to these rules is critical to ensuring the safety of children and avoiding hefty penalties. It is always safer to stop and wait it out when in doubt.
Remember the 9 PM routine! This nightly ritual is not just a task but a crucial step toward ensuring your safety and security. It reminds all residents to remove valuables from their vehicles, lock their vehicle doors, lock the doors to their residences, turn on exterior lights, and activate all alarms and security systems. By following this routine, you're protecting your property and contributing to the safety of our entire community.
That is all for this week! Please be safe, care for one another, and I'll see you in church on Sunday!
Sgt. Marc Basye (Ret.)
Do you have a suggestion for the Tipp of the Week? You can email me at Marcthecop@tippgazette.com.
The opinions and statements in this column are those of the author, who is not affiliated with any law enforcement agency. This column is for entertainment purposes only. Persons referred to may be fictional for comedic purposes only.