Back To School - Be Careful - Watch Out For The Buses !

[PAVALKER]

Back To School - Be Careful - Watch Out For the Buses !
I was heading out to an appointment today, in my truck and noticed the School Buses are out.  I was almost "side" rammed by a bus making a turn while I was stopped at an intersection.  I had to blow my horn and then ended up having to back up (getting those behind me to back up as well) so he could make the turn.  A few more intersections down the road and another school bus was in front of me, stopped at a Red Light.... then he/she misread the light changing sequence and attempted to go into the intersection ahead of his "green".  Once he stopped again, when the light did turn green he paused for a long time til I sounded a long blast of my horn... he/she was busy looking at the schedule or route I believe.   If school has not started just yet (like here), the buses could still be out getting familiar with their route... and that is what the case was this morning.  However, when they finally get loaded with noisy kids causing even more distraction.... watch out.

[Jess from VA]

There are a series of spots in my 'hood' where I know to stop well short of the stop sign to allow our buses to swing wide enough to make the turns (like 50-60 feet). 

I always get the thank you wave from the local drivers.

[..]

It's tough for the new drivers. Unfortuantely I believe they aren't instructed very well about looking the route over on a map first.

My first achool bus day today for this year. Had two drivers blow thru my red stop sign from behind and one new bus driver blow thru my amber lights from the front. Yeah I know that's legal but we are told to stop.

[PAVALKER]

There are a series of spots in my 'hood' where I know to stop well short of the stop sign to allow our buses to swing wide enough to make the turns (like 50-60 feet). 

I always get the thank you wave from the local drivers.

I usually do stop back far enough, but at some intersections you really can't see squat (let alone traffic to the left and right) unless you move up a bit.  That was the case at this intersection, I did stop then moved up to see and waited for traffic, THEN the bus came up on the far lane wanting to make a left onto the road I was on, and he also had to wait for oncoming traffic to him as well.  I would have thought he might let me go first and move out of his way before he commenced his turn (since I was there first and was nosed out a bit to see).... but  Nnnnooooooooo he didn't.  Yes, I understand he may have technically had the right of way in making the turn, but I was stopped there first and in his way so he should have let me move out of his way before making the turn.  I also think he could have tried to cut the corner a bit wider than he did too... but it's been awhile since I drove something that long.

Just be aware they are out there again..... stay alert.