Ask A Cop: When Do I Have to Stop for a School Bus

Is there anything you have ever wanted to know from the police department? Well, this is your chance to ask. 

Whether you have a question about certain laws and how they might affect you, your family or friends or how to stay safe in certain situations, we want you to ask them. Every week we will run one question and answer. To submit a question, email Shannon.burkey@patch.com.

Question:

How many lanes of traffic have to stop when a school bus has its lights on? Like on Green Valley Road by Rogers Diner, all four lanes or just two because I have seen both done?

Answer:

According to California Vehicle Code section 22454, the driver of any vehicle, bicycles included, approaching a school bus stopped for the purpose of loading or unloading school children, displaying a flashing red light and stop arm, shall bring the vehicle to a stop immediately before passing and shall not proceed past until the red light and stop signal arm cease operation. This applies to vehicles traveling in either direction. It excludes vehicles traveling in the OPPOSITE direction upon a roadway with four or more lanes or a physical median barrier. 

~Officer Sarah Jackson, Santa Cruz California Highway Patrol