Stop for school buses, even in the turn lane

Beginning next week, your commute to and from work may get just a little bit longer.

While you might be annoyed at having to sit in traffic while children are being picked up for school or dropped off after, it’s the law.

In the interest of safety, the Canfield Police Department is attempting to educate the driving public about the laws regarding a stopped school bus.

“Due to the number of complaints about violations on Route 224 where there are three lanes of traffic, there seems to be some confusion among drivers about what to do upon approaching a school bus with its red flashing lights activated and in the process of receiving or discharging students,” explained Paul J. Lasky, Juvenile Officer, Canfield Police. On segments of Route 224 (East Main and West Main Streets), there are three lanes of traffic — there are segments that have a turn lane in addition to east and westbound lanes.

“The complaints we are receiving from parents and bus drivers along the stretch of road with three lanes is that, for example, the school bus will be stopped in the westbound lane with its red lights on and stop sign extended, but another westbound car will pass it in the left turn lane.

“As well, they complain that many eastbound cars will pass the bus, maybe because the drivers don’t know they need to stop for the bus on this three-lane road.”

The Ohio Revised Code 4511.75(A) requires that on roads with two or three lanes, a driver of a vehicle, upon meeting or overtaking from either direction a school bus stopped for the purpose of receiving or discharging any school child shall stop at least 10 feet from the front or rear of the school bus and shall not proceed until such school bus resumes motion, or until signaled by the school bus driver to proceed.

Further, every school bus shall have amber and red visual signals and an automatically extended stop warning sign, which shall be actuated by the driver whenever, but only whenever, the bus is stopped or stopping on the roadway for the purpose of receiving or discharging school children.

According to Lasky, because the school bus law and the safety of the children is so important, there is a unique exception to the rule when it comes to enforcement of ORC 4511.75. An officer does not have to observe a violation personally. It allows the school bus driver to pass on information of an alleged violation to the police and establishes probable cause for the police to issue a citation for the offense based on that information.

ORC 4511.751 states that when a school bus driver believes that a motorist violated 4511.75A, the driver shall report the license plate number and general description of the vehicle and operator to law enforcement.

Upon receipt of the report of the alleged violation, the police shall conduct an investigation to attempt to determine or confirm the identity of the operator of the vehicle at the time of the alleged violation. If the identity of the operator is established, the report of the license plate shall establish probable cause for the police to issue a citation.

“Canfield school bus drivers work cooperatively with the Canfield Police Department to report violations in the manner described above,” said Lasky. “The police have investigated and served many citations as a result. As I said initially, however, our goal is to educate the public and look for voluntary compliance rather than issue citations.

“Another thought is that drivers need to be aware that although most of the school buses run at the traditional opening and closing times for schools, there are kindergarten busses picking up and dropping off students in the late morning and early afternoon due to half day kindergartens.”

So when you’re out and about and you see a yellow school bus, practice some patience and put on the brakes. You’ll save yourself a ticket and help ensure the safety of Canfield’s school children.