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Section 9: Rules of the Road

Section 8
BASIC DRIVING

Section 8: Basic Driving

Stopping

Apply the brake smoothly and use steady pressure. Come to a complete stop at traffic signs and signals.

Check your mirrors for traffic to the rear. Move your foot to the brake pedal. Press steadily until your vehicle comes to a stop.

Many people seem to feel that a rolling stop is adequate when required to stop. The following situations are times when you must make a complete stop:
Make a complete stop. Steady (non-flashing) red light or at a flashing red light.
Steady (non-flashing) red light or at a flashing red light.
Make a complete stop. All stop signs.
All stop signs.
Make a complete stop. Railroad crossings are controlled by flashing signals, gates, a watchman, or stop signs. Stop more than 15 feet (but not more than 50 feet) away from the nearest rail until it is safe to continue. If there is a gate, wait for it to be raised.
Railroad crossings are controlled by flashing signals, gates, a watchman, or stop signs. Stop more than 15 feet (but not more than 50 feet) away from the nearest rail until it is safe to continue. If there is a gate, wait for it to be raised.
Make a complete stop. At the scene of any crash in which you may be involved as a driver. You must meet all legal requirements before leaving the crash scene.
At the scene of any crash in which you may be involved as a driver. You must meet all legal requirements before leaving the crash scene.
Make a complete stop. When a police or other officer requests you to stop.
When a police or other officer requests you to stop.
Make a complete stop. Before a sidewalk area or street, when coming onto a street or highway from an alley, private driveway, private road, or a building.
Before a sidewalk area or street, when coming onto a street or highway from an alley, private driveway, private road, or a building.

School Bus StoppingWritten test questions about stopping for a school bus are often answered incorrectly.

If a school bus displays alternating flashing red light signals visible from the front or rear. Stop immediately before reaching the bus. Do not proceed until the flashing red light signal ceases to stop.
  • Traveling on a two-lane roadway, traffic in both directions must stop.
  • If traveling on a divided highway with four (4) or more lanes with a median separating the traffic, it is only necessary for the vehicles in both lanes behind the school bus to stop, not the traffic traveling in the opposite direction.
  • Traveling on a four-lane roadway without a median, traffic in both directions is required to stop.
  • Traveling on a highway with five (5) or more lanes and a shared center turn lane is only required for the vehicle’s in both lanes behind the school bus to come to a complete stop. Vehicles traveling in the opposite direction are not legally required to stop.

It is important to note that although you may not be required by law to stop when you see a stopped school bus, you should be aware that students will be getting on and off the bus. Children are unpredictable and could run into the road at any time. Use caution while driving near school buses and adjust your speed accordingly.

School bus drivers may report vehicles that improperly pass school buses. The report may be forwarded to the local law enforcement agency for investigation. Fines can run up to $3000; remember, a conviction for passing a school bus illegally usually means an increase in insurance rates.

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