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Here are the Rules for Stopping for a School Bus in South Carolina

Do you know the rules of the road around a school bus in South Carolina? We put people to the test.

Columbia, SC (WLTX) - It's that time of year again, school time. And that means school buses are going to be on the road. But what are the rules when it comes to school bus safety? News19's Chris Delcamp went out on the streets to ask people what they knew.

Question 1: (For all these questions, we are assuming the bus is stopped with lights flashing and stop sign out.) If you're traveling the same direction as a school bus on a four-lane highway, do you have to stop?

Everyone asked, answered yes to this question. And they would all be right. According to the DMV drivers handbook, when you are behind the school bus of any two-lane, four-lane or multi-lane highway, you must stop!

Question 2: If you're driving the opposite direction of a two-lane highway of a bus, do you have to stop? Everyone responded yes to this one as well. And again, they would all be right. Nice job by Columbia residents so far. The DMV handbook says you must stop on any two-lane highway, no matter what direction you are in relation to the bus. Now for the tricky question.

Question 3: If you're traveling the opposite direction of the bus on a four-lane highway, do you have to stop? The answers on the street we mixed on this question. So here's the rule; On any four-lane or multi-lane highway, going in the opposite direction of the bus, you do not have to stop. However, the handbook says to still slow down and pass with caution. Despite these clearly laid out rules, Richland County bus drivers say they constantly see vehicles passing the bus when they are not supposed to.

"Just about every day. Every day," says Richland 1 Bus Driver Cedric Hoefer.

And he adds that it's never just one that violates this.

Cedric says, "If one car goes through, another one is gonna go. Probably about two or three. I think they do it because they're in a rush."

But our bus drivers here are well aware these issues. They even expect it, so they know how to deal with it.

Cedric says, "As they get off, I tell them to stop in front of the bus. I wait until all traffic is stopped and tell them to cross the road, and always look both ways before they cross."

He says it's important to follow these rules to ensure the safety of everyone, especially the kids. And it will also prevent drivers from getting hefty tickets if they're caught breaking the rules.

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