Schools Starting in South Carolina, But Drivers Need to Repeat this Lesson

Imagine if you flunked the same course five years in a row. Would they let you stay in school?

I’m not suggesting we start yanking drivers licenses away from the people who still don’t get the school bus passing law in South Carolina. However, can everyone please review this one more time? I ask because of the following five words:

You..still..don’t..get..it.

Let’s review this law that took effect on August 1, 2003, shall we? This comes directly from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety:

Drivers must always stop when they are traveling behind a bus with flashing amber or red lights, regardless of whether the road has two, four or more lanes.

On a four-lane (or more) highway or private road, however, they do not have to stop.  Those drivers should slow down and proceed with caution.

Let me repeat the key phrase: On a four-lane (or more) highway or private road, however, they do not have to stop.

I don’t care if it’s Woodruff Road, Blackstock Road or Clemson Boulevard. A school bus is going to come to a stop on these multi-lane roads starting today and drivers are going to hit the brakes traveling in the opposite direction.

And it’s going to happen every day.

I’ve even included the diagram produced by the South Carolina Highway Patrol that shows clearly how to follow the law.

Please review, good luck and have a great 2008-2009 school year.

My lecture is over. Your test begins on the road this afternoon.