At a four-lane highway with a grassy median, are vehicles allowed to pass a stopped school bus?

In South Carolina, vehicles traveling in the opposite direction on a four-lane highway with a grassy median are allowed to pass a stopped school bus. This rule is in place because the median provides a clear physical barrier that helps ensure the safety of children boarding or exiting the bus.

Passing the bus in this scenario is deemed safe as long as the vehicle is traveling in the opposite direction and is not impeding the loading or unloading of students. However, drivers must still exercise caution and remain alert for any potential hazards, such as children crossing the road unexpectedly.

In contrast, when a vehicle is traveling in the same direction as the bus or if the highway has only two lanes, the law requires all vehicles to stop whenever a school bus has its stop arm extended and lights flashing, as this is crucial for protecting the safety of students.