Delaware School Bus Laws
TITLE 21
Motor Vehicles
Operation and Equipment
CHAPTER 41. RULES OF THE ROAD
Subchapter VII. Special Stops Required
§ 4161. Obedience to signal indicating approach of train, drawbridge or automatic signal system controlling the flow of traffic.
(d)(1) Overtaking and passing school bus. — When a school bus is stopped and displays flashing lamps in accordance with subsection (b) of this section, the driver of any vehicle approaching the school bus from the front or from the rear shall stop before passing the bus and remain stopped until such bus begins to move or no longer has the red stop lamps activated. On roadway or roadways with 4 or more lanes, the driver approaching from the front shall not stop.
QUESTION: Is the statement in the above picture, which appears in the Delaware Drivers Manual, accurate?
ANSWER: YES/NO! It is a partial truth that unfortunately causes it to be inaccurate. If approaching a stopped school bus from the front on a roadway that is 4 LANES OR MORE THEN A STOP IS NOT REQUIRED. A full stop is always required when approaching a stopped school bus from the rear or from the front when the roadway is less than 4 lanes.
QUESTION: Is a full stop required if approaching a stopped school bus from the front when traveling on a roadway that includes a “TWO-WAY LEFT TURN LANE” – picture below?
ONE FINAL POINT: Be prepared for the horn blast and possible hand signals as the vehicle to your rear passes you (ILLEGALLY) on the shoulder of a two-way road that also contains a “TWO-WAY LEFT TURN LANE”.
WARNING: Surrounding states may have school bus stopping laws that differ from the Delaware Law.
