Learn and obey the school bus laws. Learn the "flashing signal light system" that school bus drivers use to alert motorists of pending actions:
Yellow flashing lights indicate that the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop their vehicles.
Red flashing lights and extended stop arm indicate that the bus has stopped, and that children are getting on or off. Motorists must stop their vehicles and wait until the red lights stop flashing, and the extended stop sign is withdrawn before they can start driving again.
Roadway with a median separation: When a school bus stops for passengers, only traffic following the bus must stop.
Examples in RTM School District: Southern end of Baltimore Pike
Roadway with or without a center turning lane: When a school bus stops for passengers where there is no physical barrier dividing the highway, all traffic from BOTH directions must stop.
Examples in RTM School District: Parts of New Middletown Rd.
Two-lane roadway with a center turning lane. No physical barriers, traffic in all directions must stop.
Example in RTM School District:
Providence Rd.
Media end of Baltimore Pike
Parts of New Middletown Rd.
All township owned streets
Side streets
Four-lane roadway without a median separation. No physical barriers, traffic in all directions must stop.
Example in RTM School District:
Parts of New Middletown Rd.
Parts of Providence Rd.
Remember, if there is not a physical barrier between you and the stopping bus,YOU MUST STOP.
If a school bus is stopped at an intersection, traffic in ALL directions must STOP.
Passing a stopped school bus when it's red lights are activated is an extremely dangerous situation and is taken very seriously by the judicial system, so know the laws, and the penalties for violating those laws. Penndot School Stop Law Violations and Penalties
