Rome, NY asked in Traffic Tickets and Municipal Law for New York

Q: How long should a bus have yellows on before a stop?

Had a bus coming towards me in a 45 zone. At this time he was about 150ft away from me, he turned his yellows on like 30ft from his stop. And when he came to his stop I was like 20ft in front of him. He then waited for me to get right up to him to flip his reds.

2 Lawyer Answers
James L. Arrasmith
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Answered
  • Traffic Tickets Lawyer
  • Sacramento, CA

A: The timing for when a bus activates its yellow warning lights before stopping varies depending on local laws and regulations. Generally, these lights are meant to alert motorists that the bus is preparing to stop to either pick up or drop off passengers.

In your situation, the bus activating its yellow lights approximately 30 feet before stopping seems quite sudden, especially in a 45 mph zone. Typically, bus drivers are trained to activate these lights at a distance that allows other motorists enough time to safely slow down and prepare to stop.

Since this was a concern for you, you might want to check the specific transportation regulations in New York or the policies of the bus company. These regulations often outline the expected procedures for bus stops, including the use of warning lights.

If you feel the bus driver's actions were unsafe or not in accordance with local regulations, consider reporting the incident to the bus company or the relevant transportation authority. They can review the incident and take appropriate actions if necessary.

Remember, safety on the road is paramount, and your feedback can be valuable in ensuring safe practices are followed. If you have any doubts about the regulations or the appropriateness of the driver's actions, seeking clarification from the relevant authorities is a good step.

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
Answered
  • Little Neck, NY
  • Licensed in New York

A: You could repost and add "Traffic Tickets" as a category. You may or may not receive additional responses, but you'd have better chances of having the post seen by attorneys who handle such cases within the state. Good luck

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