ORLANDO, Fla. – When it comes to traffic safety, school buses are a topic we can discuss endlessly — because they’re that important. These bright yellow vehicles carry our most precious cargo: children.
Every time a school bus stops to pick up or drop off students, it creates a potentially dangerous situation if drivers don’t follow the rules.
Through my Ask Trooper Steve segment, I’ve received countless questions and concerns from drivers. But one group that always has my ear? School bus drivers. They see it all, and when they speak up about a problem, it’s worth listening to.
Recently, I heard from a driver in east Orange County who’s facing a recurring issue at Alafaya Trail and Broadhaven Boulevard. It’s a simple but frustrating problem: other drivers not respecting the bus’s right of way.
Whether it’s impatience, ignorance, or just a lack of awareness, it’s something that needs to change. Here’s a quick reminder of the rules:
- When the red lights are flashing and the stop arm is out, all traffic must stop.
- If you’re pulling out of a neighborhood onto a main road where a bus is stopped, you must wait. That means no right turns, no cutting across, and absolutely no maneuvering around the bus.
- That stop arm isn’t just for show. It signals that children are present, and moving vehicles pose a serious danger.
This isn’t about finding loopholes in the law or seeing what you can get away with. It’s about responsibility. It’s about ensuring that every student makes it to school and home again safely. The rules are clear, and as drivers, we should do better.
Next time you see a school bus, don’t just see it as an inconvenience — see it as a reminder that someone’s child is counting on you to make the right choice.
If you have a traffic question for Trooper Steve, submit it here.