Ask a Trooper: When must drivers stop for school buses on separated roadways?

Sgt. Jesse Grabow of the Minnesota State Patrol Question: I saw in one of your recent articles talking about stopping for a school bus. In the article you stated, 'Motorists are not required to stop for a bus if the bus is on the opposite side of a separated roadway (median, etc.) — but they should remain alert for children.' Can you explain the 'etc.' as I still have questions. Answer: Excellent question and, yes, I can. Minnesota state statute says: Exception for separated roadway: A person driving a vehicle on a street or highway with separated roadways is not required to stop the vehicle when approaching or meeting a school bus that is on a different roadway. "Separated roadway" means a road that is separated from a parallel road by a physical barrier, raised median, or depressed median. As I mentioned in my previous article as I can not repeat it enough, watch and remain alert for children. Minnesota State Patrol Sgt. Jesse Grabow offers the weekly Ask a Trooper column to newspapers around Minnesota. A portion of state statutes were used with permission from the Office of the Revisor of Statutes. If you have any questions concerning traffic related laws or issues in Minnesota, send your questions to Sgt. Jesse Grabow, Minnesota State Patrol at 1000 Highway 10 W, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501-2205. You can follow him on X @MSPPIO_NW or reach him at jesse.grabow@state.mn.us.