Photos

Students get off an Allegany County school bus Monday afternoon on U.S. Route 40 in LaVale. Road crews under contract with the Maryland State Highway Administration are removing asphalt from areas of National Highway, as well as painting new lines as they will appear when roadwork is complete. The new traffic pattern will include a middle turning lane, and the public school system’s department of transportation would like to remind motorists of Maryland school bus laws as this new lane could cause some confusion as it relates to school buses. According to Maryland law, unless there is a physical barrier — grass, concrete, or guard rail — dividing a highway, motorists traveling in both directions must stop at least 20 feet in front of or behind school buses when loading or unloading passengers. After work is complete on National Highway, both eastbound and westbound traffic will be required to abide by this law and stop for school buses with flashing red lights. Steve Bittner/Cumberland Times-News (Click for larger image)