Is it standard procedure for a school bus driver on a two-lane road to turn his wheel so that he’s partly blocking the opposite lane of traffic when he stops to let children off?

I know he probably does it to discourage people from disregarding the stop sign, but it still doesn’t seem a smart thing to do.

Holly Holland, Calcasieu Parish school system spokeswoman, said the district’s bus stop procedures counsel drivers against leaving their lane when dropping off children.

“Our bus drivers will be reminded of the proper protocol to follow,” Holland wrote in an email.

From the district’s guide for school bus drivers:

“When approaching and departing bus stops make sure that no one is in front of or around the sides of the bus. Make it a habit to use the front cross-over side mirrors.”

“Students should cross only in front of the bus in view of the driver. They should not be allowed to cross behind the bus.”

“Allow students to get on or off the bus only at their assigned bus stops unless they have a note signed by their parents and the school administrator and provided to the bus driver.”

“Do not block or stop intersections or cross walks for pick-up or drop off. Stop the bus only in the right lane. Do not straddle lanes in order to stop traffic.”

“Bring the bus to a complete stop before allowing students to get on or off the bus.”

“Account for each student as they load and unload the school bus.”

“Make adjustments for rainy days.”

Under state law, traffic must halt within 30 feet of school buses that stop on undivided roads — those without central medians, barriers or ditches — to drop off children.

And the state’s Class E driver’s guide warns that “you can lose your driving privilege for … failure to stop for a school bus loading or unloading children.”

“You do not have to stop when the bus is stopped in a loading zone completely off the roadway and where the pedestrians are not allowed to cross the roadway. …,” reads the Class E guide.

“Drivers must stop for a stopped school bus when traveling on four lane or five lane roadways which are not separated by any barriers. When you have stopped, you must not proceed until the bus moves again or the visual warning signals are no longer in use.”

Louisiana R.S. 32:80 authorizes school bus drivers to turn in to authorities the descriptions and license plate numbers of vehicles that disregard the law.

“This notification shall be in writing on a form provided to the bus driver by the school board, shall be signed by the school bus driver, under penalty of criminal prosecution, in the presence of two witnesses, and it shall include the license plate number and color of the vehicle. …,” reads the statute.

“The appropriate authority may issue a citation to the owner or, in the case of a leased vehicle, the lessee of the vehicle involved, on the basis of this information.”

l

Online: www.cpsb.org; https://omv.dps.state.la.us; www.legis.la.gov.

l

The Informer answers questions from readers each Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. It is researched and written by Andrew Perzo, an American Press staff writer. To ask a question, call 494-4098 and leave voice mail, or email informer@americanpress.com.