I passed the truck to the right about 1mph. That’s how slow I passed it because I was very concerned that there might be pedestrians in front of the truck to the right.
I actually had to move my body towards the dashboard and stretched my head around the truck to make absolutely sure it was clear.
Also, remember the traffic on the opposite side is also hectic.
When I proceeded from the truck to the right, the cop came after me.
Couldn’t have been to hectic, it was stopped behind a school bus.
Got it. Also contributing to your not seeing the bus is that it was a mini, not a 50-seater, much shorter, and not as tall.
This looks like just the worst possible combination and physical placement of vehicles - mind you that none of you - the trucks, the bus itself, you, or any other vehicles, had intended.
But, the good NY police officer still expected you to see that small bus through the trailer or tractor to your left…!
The road has multiple stoplights. I’m thinking while the bus had stopped, traffic in front of the bus as well as behind it had stopped for either both traffic light and the bus.
Because that road is always crammed with vehicles on both sides. Know what I mean ?
The state trooper advised that I paid more attention to my surrounding. and wished me a great day.
Our interaction was so friendly and respectful on both ends. First, I asked him why I was pulled over and he explained. I was in shock and asked where was the school bus and when. I assured him this wasn’t my intention and quickly apologized. He talked to me gently for a few minutes and then handed me the ticket. After that, he tried to help me get back on the road and I told him I was ok and just needed some time to process the whole thing. Then I gave him a thumb up and said bye and he waved to say bye.
He seemed like a really nice cop.
The only thing you could have done differently, and I’m sure I would have had a hard time doing it, with no apparent context, was to have stopped alongside both of those trucks. Even if you didn’t know what the heck you were all stopping for, lol! Once they started to move again, or at least, the truck in the right lane, going straight, you would be safe to proceed.
But again, context. With the locations of you and the trucks in your direction, at that point in time, relative to the stopping-stopped bus, there really was none.
Yes for sure. Your advice is much appreciated. I have read all the comments and took note of your advice. I will definitely remember this.
Most of you guys have been incredibly helpful and supportive. I thank you all
I will update this post with the outcome of the case.
Actally the photo is not reversed and the photo was taken in Thailand…
https://www.asianturfgrass.com/post/sodding-miles-of-road-median-with-zoysia/
Hmmm. Never been there but the wife spent some time there as a visiting educator. She led me to believe transport was by elephant not freeways. 
You two still obsessing and musing over my example of a divided roadway?
Oh well…
I could care less what a policeman thinks or doesn’t think. In fact, my father, who was an attorney, made clear that during any interaction with police, the default reaction should be to ONLY answer questions about my name and identity, and to deny guilt or knowledge of anything else. As long as the police report does not reflect an admission of guilt (and it sounds like yours does not), everything else can be argued in court.
And no, you are not expected to have X-ray vision, and to magically see a school bus that is surrounded by large semi-trucks. Compliance with the law is generally based upon the “reasonable person test”, i.e. would a reasonable person have been able to avoid the technical violation? There is a good chance that an attorney can beat this.
Obsessing no, just still trying to figure how your referrence to the highways in Thailand and New York’s Stopped School Bus Laws have anything in common…
Below are two photos of the typical (and I did say typical…) School Buses in Thailand… But they do have “strict” rules, “No Girls on Top…” L 
L . . .
Try to expand your brain a little, around the concept, again, of a division(grass, raised concrete, etc) between two sets of travel lanes going in opposite directions.
That’s what I was trying to illustrate.
First, don’t hire anthony. Maybe john… but even that would most likely only extend your damages by adding fees.
I would go to court and try to convince the judge that you had no way of seeing the school bus. I once beat parking ticket in Chicago (!!!).
Today, I went to get my hair cut and I had to take the route where I was ticked for passing a school bus and I couldn’t believe what my eyes saw today !
Upon leaving the barbershop and entering the large road, I spotted a school bus ( the huge model ) and I was the only one on the street on my side because traffic light had stopped traffic everywhere else.
The bus then flashed its yellow lights before changing to red in a matter of seconds. I was like “ Isn’t there a rule for bus drivers to flash the yellow light for an extended period so traffic can be prepared ?”
Anyways, here was the most shocking thing about today:
A 14 or 15 year old boy exited the bus and ran straight across the road “ without even checking to see if it was safe to do so “
My jaw was on the floor. Like seriously, a big kid like that does not know how to properly cross a street ?
Are parents really afraid to instill common sense in their children ?
Wow, I’m just lost for words.
At least you know now why everyone says to stop. I’ve had that with college kids on campus. Eyes on their phone and never even look before crossing the street. The parents of tomorrow from the parents of yesterday.
A few months ago at dinner I asked my 14 year old daughter how her day was. She replied that a girl from her middle school was crossing the street and was hit by a car.
“Oh wow that’s terrible” was my response.
She said “I know, right. Isn’t that so embarrassing to be in middle school and not know how to cross the street?”
My wife and I teach our kids to be responsible and aware and how to navigate the world with common sense. But what you describe is far too common.
Some kids have developmental issues.
After working in the field of education for 35 years, I can tell you that kids–and even adolescents–tend to be impulsive. If they want to do something, they will frequently do it, with little or no consideration of the consequences, and no matter what their parents have attempted to instill. Now you know why some states impose severe penalties for passsing a school bus.
This is true. However, the law has got to do something better than putting families and motorists at risk with this ridiculous law that requires all traffic to stop for a school bus.
I love obeying the law. I admire and encourage laws that make absolute sense and protect the people. This is why driving in the United States for me is incredibly easy.
But this particular law that requires traffic on a 4 to 6 lanes ( even on highways and in opposite direction ) to stop for a stopped school bus is not a law the population will like. It’s way too risky and dangerous for motorists.
A simple google search on the subject has shown innocent and law abide citizens being ticketed from left to right for failing to stop for a school bus on the opposite side of a highway, roadway, etc, because they did not see the bus, or it was too late to stop by the time they saw the bus.
School bus drivers are humans, too, and some abuse the law by incorrectly operating the flashing lights. Some of them, without a doubt, will intentionally trap motorists and report them.
A few years ago I was traveling behind a school bus and a letter written on the back of the bus that said “ THIS BUS DOES NOT TURN RIGHT ON RED “
……. Still, it made a right turn on a red light right in front of me.
Then there are those bus drivers who would activate the yellow light for less than 3 seconds before changing to red.
I have also witnessed school buses speeding.
From my research, particular from Redditors and Quoran’s, the concerning stopping for school buses puts motorists and also children at greater risk than otherwise.
I’m wondering if a judge someday will take a serious look into the system and come up with a better and safer idea for everyone.
