Answer :
Final answer:
Texas law requires drivers to stop for school buses with visual signals and emphasizes pedestrian safety, especially near schools and buses. Enforcement is strict, with penalties for those who pass stopped school buses to protect children. The laws serve to prevent harm and ensure safety for all road users.
Explanation:
According to Texas statute, traffic safety laws are in place to ensure the safety of students when they are in proximity to a highway. These laws mandate that all drivers must stop for a school bus with activated visual signals, such as flashing red lights or a handheld stop sign. Specifically, when a school bus is on a divided highway with only a left-turn lane separating the directions, all drivers on both sides of the road must stop. If a physical barrier or space separates the lanes, only drivers behind the bus need to stop.
The safety of student pedestrians in school zones is taken seriously, and during National School Bus Safety Week, drivers are especially reminded of their responsibility to stop for school buses. Traffic signals and clearly marked pedestrian crossings are essential to ensure students can cross roads safely without having to dodge traffic. It is also required for pedestrians and drivers alike to obey the traffic laws, including using the correct side of the road and respecting each other's right of passage at crossings.
Violations of these rules are taken seriously by law enforcement, such as the Texas DPS, which actively looks for and penalizes drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses. With the primary aim of protecting children who are vulnerable when entering or exiting a school bus, these laws are enforced rigorously to prevent harm and ensure general road safety.
