Let me first start out saying I am super glad that people are more aware of the traffic laws when a school bus is dropping off or picking up students. It is and has been a problem in many places in salt lake and Utah. I would NEVER ignore a Bus with the stop arm out with lights and dropping off or picking up kids.
Just a reminder to the well intentioned people twice this week flipping off me and my vehicle full of children that Motorists approaching from the opposite direction are NOT required to stop When there are five or more lanes, which includes the center turn lane.
Twice this week, while on redwood road. When a school bus was dropping off students or picking up students on a five lane road, and we were approaching from the opposite direction, we did not stop. We are not suppose to stop. But that did not stop fellow drivers who obviously are not aware of the actual law, to flip off and yell and honk at my car full of kids.
I’ve included the instructions of when you are not required to stop. And the Utah gov website with the actual laws. I don’t doubt the intentions of these other drivers are good. But when people are not informed, they can begin to be jerks to people that do not deserve it.
When You Are NOT Required to Stop
Motorists approaching from the opposite direction are NOT required to stop under these specific circumstances:
- When there is a physical barrier or median dividing traffic.
- When there are five or more lanes, which includes the center turn lane.
- You may also proceed if the bus is at an intersection with a traffic light or police officer.