On a 4-lane freeway, in which lanes is a school bus allowed to travel?

• A. The left two lanes only
• B. The center two lanes
• C. The right two lanes only
• D. All four lanes

Answer: (C)

A school bus is permitted to travel in the right two lanes of a 4-lane freeway primarily due to safety and regulatory considerations. These lanes are typically designated for slower-moving vehicles, which is important for school buses that operate at lower speeds compared to regular traffic.

When a school bus operates in the right lanes, it enhances safety for the children boarding and alighting from the bus, as well as for other road users. It allows for easier access to bus stops that are often located at the right side of the road. Furthermore, keeping the bus in the rightmost lanes helps to maintain the flow of faster-moving traffic in the left lanes, reducing congestion and preventing accidents.

In contrast, the left lanes are generally reserved for higher-speed traffic, making them unsuitable for school buses that need to make frequent stops. This separation helps to create a safer environment for everyone on the road.