STOP arm bus camera question
Posted by Individual_Log4263@reddit | driving | View on Reddit | 7 comments
I live in Virginia y’all, and I have a question about bus rules here. I stopped on the front-facing side (like I was looking at the front of the bus) at a T-stop and waited until all the kids were on the bus. I checked to see that both the extended stop sign went back and flashing lights went way and made a left turn. I was beeped at when the bus had just begun the process of moving; I saw the bus lifting up to drive again but the bus did not have its blinker and so I drove past. Will I receive a citation for this in VA??
-Cabby-@reddit
Why was the bus on the wrong side of the road in your picture? The bus had the right of way if there were no stop signs/traffic lights directing it though. Drivers turning generally have to yield to people going straight if there are no signs to direct traffic.
Individual_Log4263@reddit (OP)
Sorry, that’s an error on my end. Bus should be on the right side. But there is no stop sign where either I or the bus was. I assumed that buses don’t have the right of way in VA unless they they’re in a school zone (which is not in my case). And I was stopped when the bus was loading the students and the doors closed.
Austin_Native_2@reddit
You assumed a bus can't have the right of way? What!? As you're the one turning across the path of another vehicle, you must yield accordingly. If for example the bus was simply driving down the road (not stopping), you would have to wait for them to go by before you can complete your left turn. The same applies after the bus finishes loading the kids, etc. You should've waited for the bus to proceed before making your turn. You essentially failed to yield right of way. But with no LEO around to give you a citation, you won't get in trouble for it. The bus honked just to let you know you were in the wrong.
Individual_Log4263@reddit (OP)
Okay, I should note that the bus also needed to turn (their right) but I get your point
Austin_Native_2@reddit
Yeah, and they still had the right of way.
Individual_Log4263@reddit (OP)
Okay…I completely understand due to safety reasons; I take this as a lesson learned and to have patience. With what VA law says and the cameras on the bus though, would I still get be fined??
Austin_Native_2@reddit
Those cameras are only to catch those who drive past them when the red lights are on and the stop sign is out. They won't be able to issue any citations related to other driving behaviors. So no worries there.