ORLANDO, Fla. – News 6 traffic safety expert Trooper Steve Montiero answers viewer questions about the rules of the road every week, helping Orlando-area residents become better drivers by being better educated.
Trooper Steve on Monday answered a question from a News 6 viewer named Lisa, who asked, “If a school bus is picking up students at a four-way stop, can I take a right from the opposite direction?”
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Trooper Steve started his answer by painting a picture of what was being asked.
“Imagine a four-way stop in a residential neighborhood,” he said. “The school bus is facing north at a stop sign and the driver has activated all of the warning equipment. The school bus now has control of this four-way intersection, and the only movement that would be allowed would be the vehicle facing the opposite direction (southbound).”
The vehicle facing south at the stop sign would only be able to make a right turn after it has completed a few steps, Trooper Steve added.
“Obviously, the driver would need to make a full and complete stop at the posted stop sign,” he said. “With the presence of a school bus that has its cautionary equipment activated, the driver would have to also pay attention to students. After all is said and done -- and even with the cautionary equipment activated -- the other driver would be able to make their right turn. But even when we are allowed to do something, it may not be the best idea. I would wait the extra time just to make sure all the students have entered or exited the bus safely.”
Drivers facing any other direction at this specific intersection, would not be allowed to go until the school bus has left the intersection.