Last week alone, there were five separate accidents over three days that involved children being killed or seriously injured while waiting at a bus stop or while trying to cross the street to enter or exit a bus. All avoidable tragedies if all drivers would only follow the rules. Of course, that begs the question: do all drivers even know the rules? Hopefully, everyone knows that when on a two-lane road, traffic in both directions stops whenever a bus activates its stop signal. But, do you know your responsibilities as a driver when there are multiple lanes? How about when there are multiple lanes but they are divided? Do you know at what time of day pedestrians are most at risk? Take our short quiz and see how well you do.
QUIZ:
- On a two-lane road with traffic going in each direction and with a center turning lane, when a bus activates its stop signal, which drivers are required by law to stop?
- On a four lane road (two lanes of travel going in each direction), when a bus activates its stop signal, which drivers are required by law to stop?
- On a divided four lane road (two lanes of travel going in each direction separated by a divider), when a bus activates its stop signal, which drivers are required to stop?
- What is the most dangerous time of day for pedestrians?
- Are there special rules for drivers confronted with a pedestrian in a crosswalk within a school zone?
- Does the end of daylight savings time impact pedestrian accidents?
- True or false: Pedestrian accidents are declining?
ANSWERS:
- All drivers
- All drivers
- The drivers behind the bus only. The drivers on the other side of a divided highway are not required to stop.
- Rush hour – Of course, this makes sense. The more people that are out and about creates more pedestrians and more vehicular traffic.
- Normally, a car must only remain stopped for a pedestrian in the crosswalk while the pedestrian is on the same side of the street as the car. Stated differently, on a two-lane road, after the pedestrian passes by your car, as a driver, you are free to proceed. But in a school zone, drivers must remain stopped until the pedestrian has completely crossed the entire street – not just their car. This law is designed to give kids an added layer of protection.
- Yes, studies have shown that pedestrian accidents increase after daylight savings time ends. Again, this makes sense. As night falls earlier, it can make it harder to see pedestrians.
- Pedestrian accidents are increasing at an alarming rate. Experts believe cellphone usage by both drivers and pedestrians are a large part of the problem. So put down your cellphone while driving and while walking.
Click on the handy visual below from Brentwood Fire and Rescue to help explain drivers’ obligations when confronted with a school bus that has activated its stop signals:
If you or a loved one has been hit by a car as a pedestrian, we may be able to help. To find out if we can, call us for a free consultation at 615-742-4880 (Brentwood) or 615-867-9900 (Murfreesboro) or 866-812-8787 (toll-free). Our award-winning lawyers handle all pedestrian accident cases on a contingency basis so we only get paid if we win.