Most Louisiana Drivers Still Get This School Bus Law Wrong

(99.9 KTDY) - School buses will be traveling down our roadways once again, and drivers might need a refresher to know when to stop for a bus and when it's not necessary.

For years, law enforcement officials have worked to help people understand when to stop. Many school buses have onboard cameras to catch drivers who don't stop at stop signs. According to officials, it's all about safety.

For years in the state of Louisiana, you had to stop for a school bus, whether or not it was on your side of the roadway. Now, the rules have changed, making it a good time each year to review and know when to stop and when to keep moving.

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Things Louisiana Drivers Wonder About School Buses and When to Stop

• If I see a school bus on any road, do I have to stop?
• If a school bus has the sign out and it's on my side of the roadway, do I stop?
• Are there penalties for not stopping for a bus when its signs are out?

One thing is sure concerning the rules for driving on the same side of the road as a school bus in Louisiana: you need to stop if the bus stops. You will see the bus lights flashing, and the school bus stop signs will be extended. You have to stop.

READ MORE: LPSS LAUNCHES MY RIDE K-12 TO TRACK SCHOOL BUSES IN REAL TIME

Louisiana Buses Provide a Safe Way for Students to Get to School

Local attorney Richard Kennedy wrote about this time of year and what we need to know. One thing that stood out is that our kids are very safe. He writes,

"School buses are the safest vehicles on the road, and one of the safest modes of transportation overall. Children are much safer traveling in school buses than in any other vehicle..."

That said, if there is a school bus crash, anyone on board can be seriously injured, so all drivers should know the rules.

Drivers On A Two-Lane Roadway Must Stop For Buses

When you are driving on a roadway with two lanes of traffic, meaning one lane of traffic in each direction, you have to stop for a school bus when it stops to pick up or drop off children. Check out this graphic:

School Bus Graphic with Two-Lane Traffic

Do I Have To Stop For A School Bus When There Are Two Lanes Of Traffic On Both Sides Of The Roadway?

When driving down a roadway and there are two lanes of traffic on both sides of the roadway, you need to look into the middle of the road to figure out if you are required to stop.

Kennedy says if the roadway has any of the following, you do not have to stop:

• Ditch
• Grassy Median
• Elevated Concrete Barrier
• Any Obstacle That Prevents Traffic From Driving Thereon

This graphic illustrates when you have to stop and when you don't.

School Bus on Divided Road

Here is the horizontal version of this same graphic, if this is easier to view.

School Bus on Divided Highway Horizontal View

Many school buses have cameras on board, and if you are caught running the stop sign, you may be contacted by a police officer. They have recordings of the vehicles to run the signs.