Drivers Reminded of Tennessee and Alabama School Bus Stopping Laws as School Begins

With students returning to school across southern Middle Tennessee and northwest Alabama, motorists are being reminded to know when they are required to stop for a school bus.

In both Tennessee and Alabama, drivers traveling in both directions must stop for a school bus displaying flashing red lights and an extended stop arm on two-lane roads, four-lane roads without a median, and roads with a center turn lane.

The exception applies only on divided highways where opposing lanes of traffic are separated by a physical barrier or a median not suitable for vehicular traffic, such as a grass median. On those roadways, only traffic traveling in the same direction as the school bus is required to stop. Vehicles traveling in the opposite direction may continue with caution.

Drivers should remember that a center turn lane is not considered a divided highway, meaning traffic in both directions must stop when a school bus is loading or unloading students.

Law enforcement agencies are encouraging motorists to slow down, stay alert, and watch for children entering and leaving school buses. Following school bus safety laws helps protect students and can prevent serious crashes as the new school year gets underway.