Not all vehicles are created equally. Some vehicles operate in unique ways or have special laws that apply to them. If you’re going to be on the road with vehicles like school buses or public transit buses, it will benefit you to understand how they work and what to expect when driving near them.
Bus Protocol
Large vehicles mean large blind spots. Bus drivers cannot see you behind them until the point at which you can see their side mirrors. Avoid tailgating a bus, as close proximity reduces your visibility ahead of you which could cause you to miss a traffic light, signal, or hazard in the road. Additionally, if they brake suddenly, you may not have enough time to react and stop your vehicle in time before you crash into the bus.
Never linger alongside a large truck or bus. Cars can “disappear” from view due to unavoidable blind spots on a truck or bus.
When you drive alongside a bus, remember that all large vehicles take much more distance to stop than the average passenger sedan. A large space in front of a bus is not an invitation to merge in front of them – they need to use that space when stopping.
Never cut in front of a bus, or they may not have enough space to stop before hitting your vehicle. Instead, signal your intentions well in advance of when you need to enter the lane, allowing the bus driver to see you and adjust their space cushion to accommodate your vehicle before you merge.
Most city buses will make frequent stops along their route. They don’t always have a designated lane to stop in, which means they may come to a complete stop ahead of you. This is another reason to drive well behind a bus, as they may stop unexpectedly or abruptly. If a bus driver turns on their indicator, be prepared for them to stop. You must either come to a complete stop behind them and wait for them to take off again, or you may be able to go around them if there is another lane into which you have ample room to merge.
Sometimes buses will have designated lanes. If a bus stop includes a space for a bus to pull into, be aware of when the bus is ready to pull back out of that spot and rejoin the regular flow of traffic. If you are approaching this area and a bus signals to merge, allow the bus to merge in front of you. Do not speed up to cut off the bus as this is dangerous and aggressive driving that puts you and others at risk.
Allow trucks and buses adequate space to maneuver. Those vehicles make wide turns at intersections and require additional lanes to turn.
If you are turning onto a new road at the same time as a bus, even if there are two lanes available, wait until the bus has completed its turn before you enter the new road as they may need to enter the second lane in order to properly clear the corner.
School Bus Lessons
Every year during the third week of October the National Association of Pupil Transportation holds School Bus Safety Week. This is a week for school districts across the United States to practice school bus safety and raise awareness around the particular dangers that come with riding the bus. There are also specific dangers you should be aware of when driving around school buses.
This knowledge applies all year, as school buses take students to and from school, field trips, sports, and extra-curricular activities that may occur year-round. It’s always best to employ caution as you never know who may be getting on and off and if they will check for your vehicle before stepping into the road.
Watch for children walking, playing or assembling near bus stops. Children arriving late for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic.
If a school bus has its stop arm out, you must stop behind the bus. Wait for the sign to retract, people to be off the road, and the bus to begin moving before you take off again.
Always use extreme caution when passing a school bus as children are likely to be around and could run out from behind the bus into your path. If you approach a school bus stopped in the road that does not have its stop arm out or lights on, slow down and scan the area around the bus. Hover your foot over the brake pedal to help quicken your reaction time in the event of a stopping emergency.
Do not attempt to pass if you are behind a bus that begins slowing down or is just taking off, as it impedes your view of the surrounding area, and the driver may not be able to see you. Be patient and drive well behind the bus until it either joins the regular flow of traffic or you reach an area where passing is possible and safe.
For many of us, driving with buses on the road is not uncommon, but that doesn’t make it any safer. It is always good to remember that buses have different needs and abilities than cars, so that you are prepared for their actions on the road and can keep yourself and others as safe as possible.
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