The South Carolina Highway Patrol Clarifies Stopped School Bus And Motorists Law

(Seneca, SC)——————-As the school year proceeds to a close here in the next few months in Oconee County, a common question that law enforcement receives is what the law says in the state of South Carolina regarding motorists and stopped school buses on two lane roads and roadways with multiple lanes. 

Lance Corporal Joe Hovis says that on a two lane road, whether behind a school bus or approaching a stopped school bus, you must stop when the stop arm comes out regardless.  On a four lane highway, Lance Corporal Hovis says that if you are behind the school bus, you need to stop, but if you are on a four lane road approaching the stopped school bus, you do not need to stop.  Troopers, however, do advise you to slow down if you are approaching the school bus on a four lane road.   

Lance Corporal Hovis also would like to point out that school buses are equipped with cameras, so anyone who goes around the stop arm and breaks the law will have their tag number recorded by the camera and those motorists can be tickted. First time offenders can received up to a six point violation and a fine of over $1,000. Second time offenders can be issued a separate six point violation and a fine of over $2,000.