Now that it is almost that time of year, back to school, school buses full of children will be a common sight around the UAE. But with that, all drivers need to know the rules of sharing the road with a school bus, especially when it stops and puts out the stop sign.
These laws, the UAE Traffic Law and Wadeema’s Law (the Child’s Rights law), are there for the sole purpose of protecting children and to prevent traffic accidents. Here are the key rules to follow when a school bus stops;
No overtaking
Elementary children have to cross the street to get home. You know how on the bus, when it stops that little stop sign comes out of the side.
Maintain a safe distance
Must remember to stay at least ten feet away from the bus when it stops. The police suggest that there should be at least five meters between your car and the bus. A good way to tell whether or not you’re standing the correct distance away is to look at the bus’s tires. If the tires are not visible, you’re too close and should back up.
Wait for the bus to move first
And another thing, don’t drive off until the bus has hidden the stop sign and is rolling once again. That all the kids are either across the street or on the bus and then traffic starts up again.
Enforcement and penalties
In order to enforce these laws, all of the school buses in Dubai and Abu Dhabi have radars that report motorists who break these rules. According to the Federal Traffic Law, any motorist who does not stop when a school bus has its stop sign out is fined Dh1,000 and receives 10 black points on their license.
Bus drivers also have responsibilities under this law. They’re supposed to place the stop sign when they stop to drop off or pick up kids. Otherwise, as stated by the Abu Dhabi police, one will be charged with Dh500 and six black points.
According to a survey done by Abu Dhabi Police in 2011, 17% of drivers fail to stop when the school bus sign is on. That statistic alone shows the need for constant education and enforcing these laws to protect the children of the UAE.