We received a phone call recently from an avid reader of this column. She called to thank us for always writing such informative articles each month. She also took us up on our “JUST ASK US!” section that ends this article each month. The question was on buses and when to stop. The question prompted us to go straight to the DMV website and our friends at Durham Transportation so we would be sure to provide the correct information.

According to Vehicle Code 22112 on approach to a school bus stop where pupils are loading or unloading from a school bus, the bus driver must activate a flashing amber light warning system beginning 200 feet before the school bus stop. The flashing red signal lights and stop signal arm must be used when the school bus is stopped for the purpose of loading or unloading pupils. Anytime a student must cross the street the red lights must be used.

Flashing red lights mean that you must stop from either direction until the children are safely across the street and the lights have stopped flashing. A double-double line down the middle of a road indicates that you do not have to stop if you are traveling in the opposite direction of the bus unless there are left turn lanes in which case you must stop. Any street with a median planted with trees or cemented in does not require a stop if going in the opposite direction.

Special Speed Limits around Children
Always drive more carefully when you are near schools, playgrounds, and parks because children may suddenly dart into the street. Near a school, the speed limit is 25 mph while children are outside or crossing the street. No matter what the speed limit sign states, you must never drive faster that 25 mph when the school ground has no fence and children are outside. A school zone extends 500 feet from the school. Watch for children on bikes and skateboards. If there is a school crossing guard, obey their directions.

Did you know that the Department of Motor Vehicles defines a pedestrian as a person on foot or using a conveyance propelled by human power, such as roller blades or a skateboard, but not a bicycle. That definition includes persons who are disabled and use self-propelled wheelchairs, tricycles or quadricycles because they are not able to move about as a pedestrian. These individuals must be given the same rights as any other pedestrian.

You must always stop for any pedestrian crossing at corners or other crosswalks. Do not pass a car from behind that has stopped at a crosswalk. A pedestrian you can’t see may be crossing. You must always stop for any person using a guide dog or a white cane with or without a red tip. Only blind, or nearly blind persons are allowed to use these canes or guide dogs and they must be given the right-of-way at all times, whether in or out of a crosswalk. Remember--just because you make eye contact with a pedestrian doesn’t mean that the pedestrian will yield the right of way to you.

Well, I hope we were able to answer our reader’s question and provide additional information as well.

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