Do You Have to Stop for a School Bus on North Street in Pittsfield? Not Always — Here’s Why

If you've driven down North Street near the YMCA, you've probably seen it. A school bus stopped with its red lights flashing and the stop sign out, and drivers coming from the other direction sitting there confused, not sure if they're supposed to stop or just keep going.

Here's the answer: if you're on the other side of that median, you don't have to stop.
Under Massachusetts law, all lanes of traffic in both directions must stop when a school bus is stopped to pick up or drop off kids. But there is one exception. Drivers are not required to stop if they are on a divided highway with a physical median separating the lanes of traffic.

North Street has that median, which means drivers heading in the opposite direction of the bus are not legally required to stop.

That said, slow down and use common sense. Kids may still be crossing, and the situation can change quickly.

And here's something all Pittsfield drivers should know. The City of Pittsfield and Pittsfield Public Schools launched a new bus stop-arm camera pilot program on March 23, starting with Bus 128.

The camera captures the license plates of vehicles that pass when the bus is stopped with its stop sign extended and red flashing lights on, and the Pittsfield Police Department reviews the footage to determine if a violation occurred.

The first offense is $250, and the second offense is $500.
Know the rules of the road and stay alert out there.