Question

Difficulty: HardSchool Buses and Children Zones

When a school bus is stopped on a four-lane road with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended, oncoming drivers traveling in the opposite direction are exempt from stopping if the opposing lanes are separated only by a continuous painted center turn lane.

Answer: Answer

Answer

The statement is False. Oncoming traffic must stop for a stopped school bus displaying flashing red lights on any roadway that lacks a physical median or structural barrier, including roads separated only by a painted shared turn lane.
The correct assessment is False because motor vehicle codes define a divided highway strictly by physical separation (such as concrete barriers, guardrails, or unpaved medians). A painted center turn lane is part of the roadway surface, meaning all lanes in both directions must stop when red bus signals are active.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the state of the school bus signals
The school bus has activated red flashing lights and an extended stop arm, indicating children are loading or unloading.
Red flashing lights require drivers to stop unless a specific statutory exemption for divided highways applies.
2
Analyze the roadway configuration separating opposing traffic
The roadway features a continuous painted center turn lane without a physical barrier or unpaved median.
Legal exemptions for oncoming traffic require a physical median barrier, raised island, or wide unpaved dividing space.
3
Apply statutory stopping rules to the scenario
Because a painted turn lane is not a physical barrier, all traffic in both directions must stop.
Children may need to cross multiple lanes, making oncoming traffic on undivided multi-lane roads hazardous.

Key Concept

School Bus Stopping Requirements on Roads with Center Turn Lanes
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