When driving in San Antonio, Texas, there's a situation you will definitely encounter at least once.

A school bus stops and the red STOP sign unfolds beside it.

At this point, if you're in the opposite lane, most people hesitate. "Do I have to stop even though I'm on the other side?"

According to Texas traffic laws, when a school bus activates its red lights and stop sign, vehicles in both directions are required to stop.

The reason is simple: children may be getting off the bus and crossing the street.

Especially elementary school students sometimes run out without checking for oncoming traffic. That's why the law requires both directions to stop.

When the yellow lights start flashing, it's already a signal to reduce your speed.

When the bus comes to a complete stop and the stop sign is extended, you must stop without exception.

You must remain stopped until the stop sign is retracted and the bus starts moving again. If you creep forward while the bus is still stopped, that's a violation.

There's only one situation where vehicles in the opposite lane don't have to stop. That's when there's a physical barrier in the center of the road.

Whether it's a grassy median or a concrete barrier, if the road is physically divided, vehicles in the opposite lane can pass by.

This is referred to as a divided highway in Texas law. This is where people often get confused.

Even if the road looks wide enough to be separated, if there's only a yellow line in the center, legally it's considered the same road. The opposite lane must stop as well.

Most residential roads in San Antonio fall into this category, so it's not uncommon to get confused.

If you just pass by in the opposite lane on a two-lane road without a median and get caught by the camera installed on the school bus, you're in for a bad day.

The fine for violating the school bus stop sign in San Antonio is around $300 - $500. It increases for repeat offenders.

Don't ignore it and end up paying a hefty tuition fee. There's nothing to memorize about the school bus rules. If you see a stop sign, you must stop.

There's an exception for the opposite lane if there's a median. That's all there is to it.

Since this rule is about the safety of children, Americans take this matter very seriously. They won't overlook violations due to ignorance.