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  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Posts
    2

    Question Passing a School Bus with the Lights Flashing but "Stop" Arm Unextened

    This pertains to the state of MA. So this morning I stopped behind a school bus that was pulling over to the side with the red-yellow lights flashing, since it's instinctively the right thing to do. However, the "Stop" sign arm on the bus was not extended for quite a while, but this car behind me was honking at me so I proceeded to pass out of panic and pressure thinking that I was not supposed to stop. As I passed, I heard what I thought was the school bus honking at me, however, I saw that a few other cars followed me to proceed as well. I was just entirely confused after that...is it lawful to pass a school bus even though the stop sign arm was not extended? and if it's not, why did I get honked at by the car behind me when I did stop?

    Thanks!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Posts
    24,521

    Default Re: Passing a School Bus with the Lights Flashing but "Stop" Arm Unextened

    From MGL Title XIV, Chapter 90, Section 14:

    When approaching a vehicle which displays a sign bearing the words “SCHOOL BUS” and which is equipped with front and rear alternating flashing red signal lamps which are flashing, as provided in section seven B, and which has been stopped to allow pupils to alight from or board the same, a person operating a motor vehicle or trackless trolley shall, except when approaching from the opposite direction on a divided highway, bring his vehicle or trackless trolley to a full stop before reaching said school bus and shall not thereafter proceed until the warning signals are deactivated, unless directed to the contrary by a police officer duly authorized to control the movement of traffic.

    Note that it does not say anything about it being all right to pass if there is no Stop arm extended.

    As to why the car behind was honking at you, it's because he was a jerk who didn't care if you got a ticket for an unlawful pass of a school bus or not, as long as he didn't have to wait.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Posts
    2

    Default Re: Passing a School Bus with the Lights Flashing but "Stop" Arm Unextened

    Thank you for your helpful response! As for the other cars that was behind me that passed as well (not sure how or why that happened) could they be at fault also? I really hope I don't get a citation for it in the mail *fingers crossed* but what is the maximum fine for such a violation?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Snohomish, WA
    Posts
    1,588

    Default Re: Passing a School Bus with the Lights Flashing but "Stop" Arm Unextened

    If the RED lights were not flashing it was not illegal to pass the bus. Period. This is the way the law reads in pretty much all 50 states. A lot of school districts have video onboard, so it wouldn't be too hard to prove.

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