Stopping for a school bus

[TheRiddler]

I stopped for a school bus today that had the red lights flashing. After reading the CVC, I don't think I needed to. From the CVC:

22454. (a) The driver of any vehicle, upon meeting or overtaking, from either direction, any schoolbus equipped with signs as required in this code, that is stopped for the purpose of loading or unloading any schoolchildren and displays a flashing red light signal and stop signal arm, as defined in paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) of Section 25257, if equipped with a stop signal arm, visible from front or rear, shall bring the vehicle to a stop immediately before passing the schoolbus and shall not proceed past the schoolbus until the flashing red light signal and stop signal arm, if equipped with a stop signal arm, cease operation.

(b) (1) The driver of a vehicle upon a divided highway or multiple-lane highway need not stop upon meeting or passing a schoolbus that is upon the other roadway.

(2) For the purposes of this subdivision, a multiple-lane highway is any highway that has two or more lanes of travel in each direction.

I was on the other side of the road, and the road had two lanes in each direction. I made a little diagram:

Did I not have to stop?

 

[OnFire]

My 18 year old son just asked me the same question a few days ago. Very common on one of the streets here in Salinas during school drop off and pick up. As far as I remember from prior threads (can't find them right now) you don't have to stop when you are in the opposite (other direction) lane. Maybe a LEO can chime in. The CVC you cited seems pretty clear about it.

However, most people do stop. Is it a wise choice to split on a bike and continue? I have done it on occasion but I bet most of the car drivers think another hooligan is breaking the law :ride

 

[KrustyKruser]

You don't have to stop on a divided highway. That google map picture doesn't look like a divided highway. Divided highway means that opposite directions of travel are separated by two sets of double lines at least 24 inches apart, or a physical barrier.

 

[TheRiddler]

There's a solid DY down the middle.

 

[packnrat]

under section (b) says "other multi lane hwy".

i read that as any major rd that has two or more lanes each way. with a solid double line down the center of it all.


parents should train there brats to not run across a rd. or play in traffic.

 

[22348b cvc]

This roadway is a multiple lane highway, so from your diagram you would not have to stop. The solid double yellow line does not make it a divided highway. I would not cite someone for passing in your direction for this section, just use care.

Just use caution since little kids have been known to run into the roadway.

This section is very expensive to violate (almost $700) if my memory serves me correct. I write this section a lot during the school year.