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Auto Insurance Savings: Follow the Rules for School Bus Safety

No one wants to get a traffic ticket, no matter what the reason is. Most people are aware that having a clean driving record can save you money on your auto insurance rates, and a lot of people work very hard to maintain their records for this reason alone. School bus safety is one of the biggest gray areas for drivers of all ages. According to a report by GMAC insurance, about 95% of drivers surveyed know that you are required to stop for school buses when the red lights are flashing, but not everyone understands the distances at which you are required to stop, or what the rules are for railroad crossings, four-lane roads, and other restrictions.

To save you money and cut your chances of being cited for a traffic violation involving a school bus, here are some tips to keep in mind when you cross paths with one of the big yellow giants.

•    Stay back. The correct distance is 20 feet, or one-and-a-half car lengths behind a school bus when stopping. If you stop in the opposite lane facing a school bus, the distance is the same.
•    Stay stopped until the red lights stop flashing, or until you are signaled by the driver or an officer that it is okay to proceed.
•    Pay attention. Children are taught rules for bus safety, but that doesn’t mean they’ll always follow them. They could run out into the road at any time, so be attentive when stopping for a school bus.
•    Drive slow. In school zones, around school buses, and during the before and after school commute, it’s important that you drive with caution and watch for crossing guards, kids crossing into traffic at the wrong time, and other dangers.
•    NEVER pass a school bus when it is stopped. Not only is this dangerous, but it is also illegal, and school bus drivers can report you for the violation.

When it comes to four-lane roads, many people are confused about the laws regarding school buses. If you are traveling the same direction as the school bus on a four lane road, you are required to stop when the bus does. However, if you are in the two opposite lanes, you are not required to stop for school buses on a four-lane road. Also, you don’t have to stop when a school bus approaches a railroad crossing if you are coming from the opposite direction.

Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll help keep school buses safe, and save yourself a traffic ticket in the end. Part of saving money on auto insurance is being a safe and responsible driver, and these tips should help you to do just that.