How to Pass When Encountering a School Bus?
2 Answers
When encountering a school bus, you should slow down and pass or stop and wait. If you need to overtake, change to the far-left lane in advance. Below are relevant introductions about school buses: 1. Driving regulations: When a school bus stops on a road with two or more motor vehicle lanes in the same direction, vehicles behind the school bus and on adjacent lanes should stop and wait, while vehicles on other lanes should slow down and pass. 2. Other motor vehicles: When encountering a school bus stopped by the roadside, observe the reason for the stop, accelerate slowly if allowed, and stop and wait if necessary. 3. Vehicle operation: Traffic authorities will strictly enforce the licensing and management system for school bus drivers, establishing annual inspections, joint supervision, and exit mechanisms. Additionally, school buses and large passenger vehicles that meet the scrapping standard must be dismantled under the supervision of local vehicle management offices to prevent scrapped vehicles from re-entering society and causing traffic safety hazards.
When driving near a school bus, I always stay extra vigilant. Especially when it's stopped to pick up or drop off kids with its red flashing lights and stop sign activated—I never proceed forward and immediately hit the brakes to come to a full stop, maintaining at least a 20-foot distance. This rule is a strict legal requirement, and for good reason: children might dart out unpredictably, and blind spots are substantial, making accidents likely. I recall once on a suburban road when a school bus suddenly stopped; my timely braking averted a major mishap. Now, whenever I spot a school bus, I slow down early, scan surrounding traffic, and check mirrors to prevent rear-end collisions. Only after the stop sign retracts do I proceed—this patience pays off, as safety always comes first. Cultivating this habit extends to other high-risk scenarios too, like yielding to ambulances, boosting overall driving awareness.
