(A) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
CHURCH BUS. A church bus is a vehicle operated by a nonprofit religious organization which transports persons including school age children to and from religious services.
SCHOOL BUS. Every motor vehicle owned by a public or governmental agency and operated for the transportation of children to or from school or privately-owned vehicles operated for compensation for the transportation of children to or from school.
SCHOOL ZONE. Any street or highway or portion thereof officially designated and marked as a school zone.
(B) Passing in school zones restricted. The driver of a vehicle shall not pass any other vehicle which is in motion and being driven in the same direction in any school zone between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on all days when any school is in session. Whenever a school zone is located on a multiple lane street, which is divided into three or more clearly marked lanes for traffic or where the right-half of the roadway has been divided into two or more lanes, vehicles shall be allowed to pass slower moving vehicles being driven in the same direction where the passing does not involve a change of lane movement.
(C) Overtaking and passing school and church buses.
(1) The driver of a vehicle upon a highway, street or roadway, upon meeting or overtaking from either direction, any school bus or church bus which is stopped on or adjacent to the street, roadway or highway for the purpose of receiving or discharging any school children or other occupants, shall stop the vehicle immediately before passing the school bus or church bus, when there is in operation on the school bus or church bus at the time the bus stops or begins to stop, signal lamps, as required by the statutes of the state for the vehicles. The driver of the stopped vehicle shall not proceed until the school bus or church bus resumes motion or is signaled by the school or church bus driver to proceed or the visual signals are no longer actuated. The driver of the vehicle may then proceed past the school bus or church bus at a speed which is reasonable and prudent, not exceeding ten miles per hour.
(2) The driver of any vehicle, when passing a school bus or church bus, after stopping as required by this section and being waved to proceed by the school or church bus driver shall use due caution for the safety of the school children and other occupants of the school bus or church bus, which occupants shall have the right-of-way when crossing the street or roadway immediately upon leaving the school bus or church bus.
(`90 Code, § 20-42.1) (Ord. 2636, passed - -)
Statutory reference:
Similar provisions, see 47 O.S. §§ 11-705 and 11-705.1