The fall season is a great time to remind Connecticut\ndrivers about the rules of the road when sharing it with school buses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
With the new academic year now in full swing, you\u2019ve likely\nnoticed the big yellow buses making frequent stops on your drive to work in the\nmornings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to the ride to work, buses are dropping students\noff after school, taking them on field trips during the middle of the day and\neven transporting them to sporting events on the weekends or later at night. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since there\u2019s really any time of day that you could\npotentially encounter a school bus on your commute, it makes sense to brush up\non the rules of sharing the road with buses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are 2 major rules you never want to overlook. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Connecticut, it is mandatory that all drivers stop when\nthey see flashing red lights on a school bus which indicate it\u2019s stopped and\nletting passengers on or off. Drivers must stop at least 10 feet away from the\nbus whether they are located behind, in front of, or driving across lanes of\ntraffic. All must come to a stop. The only cars permitted to drive are those located\nacross a 4-lane divided highway and moving in the opposite direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The only way to drive defensively with school buses on the\nroadway and when school is in session is to drive ready to stop at any moment.\nKids are in greatest danger when they board and get off of the school bus. If\nyou proceed by assuming a child will dart across at any time, it\u2019s easier to\nkeep focused on what\u2019s happening as you drive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Failing to practice these safety requirements while driving\non Connecticut\u2019s roadway will result in hefty fines<\/a>,\npossible suspension of your license and even jail time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n With school started and kids coming on and off school buses\nit makes sense to give yourself some extra time to travel in the mornings to\nfactor in the time it takes for the bus to stop along the route. <\/p>\n\n\n\n