Chesapeake In The Know

It’s been about a year since Chesapeake Public Schools unveiled their stop-arm cameras on school buses, designed to catch vehicles that illegally pass buses and put children’s lives at risk. Unfortunately, the cameras have not fully deterred drivers from breaking the law so here’s a reminder of when you need to stop for school buses.

You must stop for a school bus with flashing red lights and an extended stop sign when your vehicle is in the following location:

• Going in the same direction behind or next to the bus (never pass a bus with its lights on)
• Going in the opposite direction, approaching the bus, on a road with no median
• At an intersection in any direction

The only time you don’t have to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights is when you’re on the opposite side of the road and there is a physical barrier or a median separating the two directions. A turn lane or pavement does not count as a median – it has to be something like grass and a curb or concrete. If in doubt, stop.