The school is on the side of Fountain St going towards Forest Rd. I've watched cars driving on the side of the road going towards Central Ave go straight through the flashing red lights of a bus. I didn't think you were allowed to do that but I guess because the school bus is on the other side of the road across a median it's ok? I always stop but many folks don't. I'm not sure who's right.

By the way, this morning there was an accident at the intersection of Fountain and Emerson. During the bus drop off times that part of Fountain St is a very congested area involving school buses, the Q and regular drivers.

Be careful what you wish for...the school bus drivers are currently on strike at noon today(New Haven Independent)unless talks resume. The cars picking up kids will cause WAY MORE TRAFFIC!!!

newhavengill - Quoted from a summary of CT laws published by AAA. "Vehicles from the opposite direction on a parkway or divided highway need not stop". I'd like to find more concrete information about the laws for stopping for buses. I've often found myself to be the only one stopped at a 4-way intersection to wait for a bus to unload. People seem to think that only unless they are on parallel paths with the bus do they need to stop. I'm not even sure what the law is.

aka... if they put in another divider, we would still have to stop unless the law is changed because we are not "from the opposite direction"? oy vey.... a 500 dollar fix isnt even an option without changing laws... why not just "Vehicles separated from a bus by a divider need not stop"?

@Ali I also stop at 4 way intersections. There is a school bus stop at the intersection of Central and Edgewood. The bus stop is located on Edgewood just before Chapel. I watch cars take a left from Central onto Edgewood or right from Central onto Edgewood all the time. One time a girl was running for the bus and was nearly hit by someone going straight down Central. Technically that driver was on Central and the light was green and the bus was on Edgewood. Not sure of the law. I wish the driver had just waited for the bus. Whole thing could have been avoided.

I guess I have a lot more school bus law reading up to do. I have no idea on the right answers. I only go by what makes sense to me. If you get a ticket for ignoring a school bus flashing light, is the fine double? Like in a construction zone?

@odis "Vehicles separated from a bus by a divider need not stop" seems like a pretty straight forward rule to me. Protects children and allows traffic to flow.

Common sense would tell u to be cautious at 4 way stops especially with a bus with lights flashing- always err on the side of caution is a golden driving rule. BUT it should be the bus driver that pulls across the intersection or even if they have to stop twice to allow the safe discharge of the children. They should NEVER be let out where they need to cross a perpendicular street in front of the bus. Please report those drivers. The law is clear on not PASSING a bus with its lights on turning in front should be made with caution.

So I guess if you are at a 4-way stop you can go unless you are turning toward the bus. Seems like it would just be better to wait as I have seen people cross the street diagonally.

Sec. 14-279. Vehicles to stop for school bus. Penalties. Written warning or summons. (a) The operator of any vehicle, motor vehicle, or authorized emergency vehicle, as defined in section 14-1, shall immediately bring such vehicle to a stop not less than ten feet from the front when approaching and not less than ten feet from the rear when overtaking or following any registered school bus on any highway or private road or in any parking area or on any school property when such bus is displaying flashing red signal lights, except at the specific direction of a traffic officer. Vehicles so stopped for a school bus shall not proceed until such bus no longer displays flashing red signal lights. At the intersection of two or more highways vehicular turns toward a school bus receiving or discharging passengers are prohibited. The operator of a vehicle upon a highway with separate roadways need not stop upon meeting or passing a school bus which is on a different roadway.

We are trying to delineate issues that are still current and may need city's attention to solve. If your issue remains and needs to be addressed by the city, please open a new See Click Fix issue. Thanks.