When driving on a multi-lane road (i.e. 3 lanes in each direction) how many lanes are required to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights? Are vehicles traveling the opposite direction required to stop? Also on a divided road (with a median/curb) are you required to pull over and stop for emergency vehicles going the opposite direction?
Peter
Spanaway
Great questions, Peter. I'm sure many people wonder the same thing.
Stopping for a school bus
If you are driving on a multi-lane road, like the kind Peter describes, you do not need to stop for the school bus if you are heading in the opposite direction.
RCW 46.61.370 states "the driver of a vehicle upon a highway divided into separate roadways as provided in RCW 46.61.150 need not stop upon meeting a school bus which is proceeding in the opposite direction and is stopped for the purpose of receiving or discharging school children."
Make sure you read RCW 46.61.150 to understand what the state means by a divided highway.
The law also says "the driver of a vehicle upon a highway with three or more marked traffic lanes need not stop upon meeting a school bus which is proceeding in the opposite direction and is stopped for the purpose of receiving or discharging school children."
The Washington Driver's Guide online is more clear:
"You must stop for a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing whether it is on your side of the road, the opposite side of the road or at an intersection you are approaching. You are not required to stop for a school bus with red lights flashing when the stopped school bus is traveling in the opposite direction and the roadway:
- has three or more marked traffic lanes,
- is separated by a median, or
- is separated by a physical barrier.
After the school bus red lights have stopped flashing, watch for children along the side of the road and do not proceed until they have completely left the roadway."
Note that there are no exemptions if you are traveling in the same direction as the school bus.
Emergency vehicles in the opposite direction
The law for this one is a little more ambiguous. It does not make any distinction in regards to divided highways.
RCW 46.61.210 states that when you see the approach of an emergency or police vehicle that is using its lights and sirens, you "shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersection and shall stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer."
Again, we go to the Washington Driver's Guide for more clarification:
"You must yield the right-of-way to a police vehicle, fire engine, ambulance, or other emergency vehicle using a siren, air horn, or a red or blue flashing light. Pull over to the right edge of the road, or as near to the right as possible, and stop when you see or hear an emergency vehicle approaching from any direction. If you are in an intersection, drive through the intersection before you pull over. If the light is red, stay where you are. Follow any instructions given over the emergency vehicle’s loudspeaker."
I know what some of you are thinking: "Does that mean when I am driving down Interstate 5 and I see an ambulance coming the opposite way that I need to pull over?" Again, the law does not specify. But, you're most likely OK to continue since most ambulances aren't going to try plowing through the jersey barrier or drive through the grassy median to get into the opposing lanes. Just pay attention to what is happening.
If you have a question (and please, feel free to ask about something other than traffic. How about some local lore you've wondered about or somethine else?), send it to iwonder@king5.com. Please include your first name and where you are writing from so we can post it with your question. We will not post your last name or any other personal information.
Yes, we'll still answer your traffic questions, too.
To add a comment, please register or login.