When it comes to the rules of the road for safe driving, not all vehicles are created equal.

Transit buses, for example, have some unique operating guidelines because of their sheer size and the number of passengers they carry. Sometimes motorists don't know about the exceptions, and it creates conflict between the big bus and smaller vehicle.

In most cases, Metro Transit's buses must follow the same rules as cars and trucks. But, buses do have a legal advantage when it comes to merging. State law requires that motorists allow a bus to merge back into traffic after a stop. As Washington's “Yield to Bus” law states: “The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right of way to a transit vehicle traveling in the same direction that has signaled and is reentering the traffic flow.”

But the bus operator has some responsibilities, as well: “Nothing in this section shall operate to relieve the driver of the transit vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the roadway...” (RCW 46.61.220)

While the law has been on the books for about nine years, it is often ignored. Hurried drivers rush by transit vehicles, leading to accidents as they try to cut past or around the much larger bus. Bus drivers have counted as many as 85 cars passing a bus, before they could merge back into traffic after stopping.

Sometimes motorists are confused by how bus drivers use turn signals. For transit operators, t he rules for flashers and signals are very complex and are based not only on what the bus is doing, but also on the location of the bus. Plus, different transit agencies have different policies for their drivers.

For example, Metro tells its transit operators not to use the right turn signal when pulling to the curb at a bus stop. This is because many of the bus stops are on the far side of an intersection, so other motorists might think the turn signal means the bus is taking a right turn rather than traveling through the intersection before pulling over to the right to pick up passengers.

Another frequent question from motorists centers on why buses travel in the far-left lanes on a freeway. Most of the local freeways have High-Occupancy-Vehicle (HOV) lanes that are open to both carpools and transit, which includes empty buses that are returning to another part of their route.

Many motorists ask why buses don't just stay in the right lane to allow faster traffic to move through on freeways. The answer is that bus drivers are trying to set up well in advance for exiting the freeway, and want to avoid multiple, unnecessary lane changes because of the size and bulk of their vehicles. There are several left-hand exits on local freeways, and some places where the buses need to avoid exit-only lanes on the right.

Metro transit operators are well trained. All must qualify and obtain a commercial driving license from the state before completing 21 intense days of Metro training. That training includes instruction in the classroom, instruction/practice on a closed driving course, street practice with no passengers, and then with passengers and an experienced driver on board prior to qualifying as a driver. During the first week on the job, a training instructor evaluates driving skills and provides additional instruction for the new operator at the end of the evaluation, if needed. There is refresher training for part-time operators within the first six months, and ongoing driving evaluations through the first year.

Transit operators know that traffic tickets, accidents and complaints from passengers and other motorists are entered into their employment records. A negative record can affect opportunities for promotion or even continued employment.

The best advice for motorists sharing the roadway with transit vehicles is to use common sense and have a high regard for the personal safety of yourself and those nearby. Whether it's a bus, delivery truck, or a train – when in doubt, yield to the larger vehicle because they are often less maneuverable, take longer to stop, and outweigh your vehicle by several tons.

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TThe King County Road Services Division will close a section of Northeast 124th Street between Willows Road and 154 th Place Northeast for four days beginning Friday, Feb. 27.

The county has been working on major improvements on 124th Street as it crosses the Sammamish Valley north of Redmond. This closure is necessary to switch traffic to the newly paved south half of the road.

The roadway will close at 6 p.m. on Friday, February 27. Crews plan on re-opening it at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, March 3. During the closure, traffic will be detoured off 124th Street, via Willows Road, Northeast 116th Street, 154th Place Northeast, and then back to 124th Street.

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