Open Letter to the Car on Route 9 That Almost Rear-Ended Me

So the other day when I was driving south on Route 9, there was a school bus on the north bound side that was stopping to let children off the bus. Of course, I would like to thank the person who almost rear-ended me when I went to slow down and try to stop because the bus was flashing its lights and putting the stop arm out.

What I am not sure that everyone knows is the fact that even on a divided highway, like this particular section of Route 9, is that you have to stop for a stopped school bus, even if it is on the opposite side of the street and median.

Don't believe me? Here is the law from dmv.ny.gov:

When you stop for a school bus, you can not drive again until the red lights stop flashing or when the bus driver or a traffic officer signals the you can proceed. This law applies on all roadways in New York State. You must stop for a school bus even if it is on the opposite side of a divided highway.

What kind of a fine or ticket are you looking at if you don't stop when the bus is stopped on the other side of a divided highway? If it is your first violation, you are looking at a $250 fine. If you should not stop three times over the course of three years, you could be facing a fine of $1000 and losing your license for a minimum of 6 months. Try to remember this is a real law and that you need to stop (and not rear end the person in front of you).