Ask a Trooper: Stopping for School Buses

School is in full swing and kids every morning are getting on buses.  Excited with the holiday’s drawing near the, weather getting colder, and of course the roads getting slippery.  It is always good to be reminded to drive at safe speeds especially through school zones and bus stops. 

Jennifer Wilson asks on a four-lane roadway with no dividing traffic barrier is the opposing traffic supposed to stop.  The answer is yes.  Michigan Vehicle Code 257.682 states the following:  The operator of a vehicle overtaking or meeting a school bus that has stopped and is displaying 2 alternately flashing red lights located at the same level shall bring the vehicle to a full stop not less than 20 feet from the school bus and shall not proceed until the school bus resumes motion or the visual signals are no longer actuated. The operator of a vehicle who fails to stop for a school bus as required by this subsection, who passes a school bus in violation of this subsection, or who fails to stop for a school bus in violation of an ordinance that is substantially similar to this subsection, is responsible for a civil infraction.

Now if one of the following is present then the vehicle can proceed as stated in section 2 of the law.  The operator of a vehicle upon a highway that ‘”has been divided” into two  roadways by leaving an intervening space, or by a physical barrier, or clearly indicated dividing sections so constructed as to impede vehicular traffic, is not required to stop upon meeting a school bus that has stopped across the dividing space, barrier, or section.

The moral of the story stop for busses as we all want to be safe and have a great holiday season.

Meet Trooper Daniel Clise

This week we would like to introduce Trooper Daniel Clise who graduated from the Michigan State Police – 125th Recruit School.

Trooper Clise is the first in his family to choose a career in law enforcement and he chose to be a Trooper because of the department’s distinguished reputation.

Trooper Clise graduated from Ferris State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.  Trooper Clise served in the Michigan Army National Guard and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2012 for Operation Enduring Freedom.

Ask a Trooper

If you have a questions or comments please email them to askatrooper12@gmail.com, or mail them to Ask A Trooper, Michigan State Police – Brighton Post, 4337 Buno Road, Brighton, MI  48116.