WZDXA school bus stopping to pick up or drop off children should be a clear signal for drivers to stop. However, nationwide, illegal school bus passes happen millions of times every year. A recent estimate by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that more than 43 million drivers passed stopped school buses illegally during one school year.Sometimes it's not because people are recklessly driving. It may be because people just don't know the rules. Most know that you should stop when approaching the bus from behind, but the rules get a little hazy when coming from the other direction.QUESTION:What should you do when approaching a school bus from the opposite side of traffic?AdvertisementAdvertisementWe verify!SOURCES:National Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationMadison County School SystemThe Alabama CodeWHAT WE FOUND:Under Alabama law, drivers must come to a complete stop when approaching a stopped school bus with its warning signals activated. In most cases, this applies to both directions of traffic.There is one exception. Take a look at this chart.On the left, you can see a four-lane divided highway with a physical barrier separating traffic.If you are behind or traveling alongside the bus, you must stop. If you are traveling in the opposite direction and that barrier separates you from the bus, you do not have to stop.AdvertisementAdvertisementHowever, drivers should still use caution because children can be unpredictable and may dart into the road.The remaining images show a four-lane road and a two-lane road without a physical barrier. In this case, both directions of traffic must stop when the school bus has its warning lights activated.This is where the rules may get unclear for some drivers. Although the image shows two- and four-lane roads, this rule still applies to even larger roads, like six-lane roads without barriers. Getting it wrong can cost you.A first offense for illegally passing a stopped school bus can result in a fine between $150 and $300.AdvertisementAdvertisementRepeat offenses can lead to higher fines, license suspensions, community service, and even a felony.So we can verify that the only time opposing traffic gets a pass is when there's an actual physical barrier separating the lanes on a road with four lanes or more.Other than that, if you see no barriers, come to a complete stop and wait until the school bus turns off its lights.If you have something you want us to verify, text us at 256-382-2692.