Every day, millions of passengers get off buses at stops without even thinking about how to properly pass the vehicle. Meanwhile, wrong bus bypass - one of the most common causes of collisions with pedestrians in urban environments. According to traffic police statistics, more than 12,000 accidents involving pedestrians in the stop zone, and in 30% of cases the pedestrian himself is to blame for violating the bypass rules.
Many are sure that the bus needs to be bypassed only from behind, others insist on bypassing front, and still others don’t see the difference at all. So where is the truth? The answer lies in Traffic rules (traffic rules), but there is no direct indication there - only indirect norms that need to be interpreted correctly. In this article we will look at official requirements, security logic and common mistakes that can cost lives.
Traffic rules 2026: what does the law say about bus bypassing?
Let's start with the main thing: in Traffic rules of the Russian Federation (last edition 2026) no direct point, which would clearly instruct people to go around the bus from a certain direction. However, there are several key rules that indirectly regulate this action:
- 📜 Clause 4.3 of traffic rules — pedestrians must cross the road at pedestrian crossings, and if there are none, at intersections along the sidewalks or curbs.
- 🚏 Clause 4.5 of traffic rules — in places where traffic is regulated, pedestrians must be guided by the signals of the traffic controller or traffic light.
- 🚗 Clause 18.3 Traffic Regulations — before starting the bus, the bus driver must make sure that pedestrians have finished boarding/disembarking and that no one is passing the vehicle.
From these points it follows that a pedestrian has no right to enter the roadway due to a stationary bus, as this creates an obstacle for other road users. But how then can you get around the bus if the stop is in the middle of the road?
The answer is clause 4.3 of traffic regulations: if there is a stop nearby pedestrian crossing (even unregulated), you need to go around the bus only for him, regardless of the side. If there is no crossing, the pedestrian must wait until the bus leaves and only then cross the road, making sure it's safe.
You can go around the bus ONLY at the pedestrian crossing or after it leaves. Entering the road due to stopped vehicles is a traffic violation!
Back or front: myths and reality
The most common myth is "walk around the bus in the back and the tram in front". This rule actually existed in Soviet textbooks on traffic rules, but today it outdated and has no legal force. Modern traffic rules do not divide transport into “buses” and “trams” in the context of detours.
Why then do many still follow this rule? The point is security logic:
- Bypass from the front dangerous because the pedestrian gets into "blind spot" bus driver and oncoming cars.
- Walking around from behind is also risky, since a pedestrian may not see a cyclist, motorcyclist or car passing a bus in the second lane.
In practice both options are unsafe, if the bus is standing on the roadway. The only correct way is wait for the bus to leave, and cross the road according to the rules, assessing the situation.
Dangerous situations: when bypassing a bus leads to an accident
Even if you are sure that you are passing the bus “correctly,” there are situations when the risk of an accident is maximum. Let's look at the most dangerous scenarios:
- The bus is at a stop, but has not turned on the hazard lights. Drivers of oncoming cars may not expect pedestrians and may not slow down.
- The stop is located at a turn or an incline. Visibility is limited and drivers may not notice a pedestrian stepping out from behind the bus.
- The bus starts moving while you walk around it. The driver may not see you in the mirrors, especially if you are short (for example, a child).
- The road has several lanes in one direction. Cars can pass the bus in the second lane at high speed.
According to Road Safety Research Institute, 78% of collisions with pedestrians near buses occur precisely because of passing in front. At the same time 22% of cases - this is a detour from behind when the pedestrian did not take into account the moving traffic in the second lane.
If the stop is not equipped with a “safety island” (an elevated area between the lanes), never bypass the bus - wait for it to leave and cross the road in an authorized place.
How to get around the bus correctly: step-by-step instructions
To minimize risks, follow this algorithm:
Stop at the door and assess the situation|If there is a pedestrian crossing, go ONLY along it|If there is no crossing, wait until the bus leaves|Before crossing roads, look left, right, then left again|Do not go out onto the road if visibility is limited (rain, fog, darkness)-->
Pay special attention children and elderly people. Children often do not understand the danger and may run out onto the road suddenly. If you are going with a child:
- Take him by the hand and explain why you can’t go around the bus.
- Show with an example how to properly wait for the transport to leave.
- Teach you to look around, even if the bus has already left (there may be another car coming).
If the stop is equipped "island of safety" (elevation between the lanes), the rules change:
1. Exit to the island through the front or back door of the bus (depending on location).
2. Wait on the island until the bus leaves.
3. Cross the second part of the road only after you are sure that there are no cars.
Fines for illegally passing the bus
Many pedestrians do not know what wrong bus bypass you may receive a fine. According to Art. 12.29 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, violation of traffic rules by a pedestrian is punishable by:
| Violation | Fine (2026) | Additional measures |
|---|---|---|
| Crossing the road in the wrong place (including bypassing the bus in the wrong place) | 500–1000 ₽ | — |
| Interfering with traffic (for example, forcing the driver to brake sharply) | 1000–1500 ₽ | — |
| Violation resulting in an accident with minor or moderate harm to health | 1000–1500 ₽ | Compensation for damage to the victim |
| Alcohol intoxication disorder | 1000–1500 ₽ | May be detained until sober |
In addition to a fine, a pedestrian who violated traffic rules may be found the culprit of the accidentif his actions led to an accident. In this case, he will have to compensate the injured party.
⚠️ Attention! If you pass in front of a bus and are hit by an oncoming car, the blame may be entirely on you - even if the driver was speeding. The court usually sides with the driver if the pedestrian violated traffic rules.
What to do if the bus is at a stop and you need to cross the road?
Situation: you got off the bus, and you need to cross to the other side of the road. What should I do?
- 🚦 Option 1: If there is a traffic light or pedestrian crossing nearby, cross ONLY along it.
- 🏙️ Option 2: If there is no crossing, but the stop is located near the sidewalk, wait until the bus leaves and cross the road, making sure it is safe.
- 🚍 Option 3: If the stop is in the middle of the road (for example, on a dividing strip), cross over to the sidewalk back door of the bus, then wait for him to leave and cross the second part of the road.
Never cross the road in front of the bus - the driver may not expect you to appear and start driving. Also, do not pass behind the bus if it is parked on a multi-lane road: cars moving in the second or third lane may not see you.
Why can't you pass behind a bus on a multi-lane road?
When the bus is at a stop, drivers in the second lane often do not slow down, expecting pedestrians to get off in front. If you pass from behind, you could be hit by a car traveling in the adjacent lane at 60+ km/h. In addition, you may be in a “dead zone” in the bus mirrors, and the driver will not see you when you start driving.
Bus bypass in different countries: how does it work abroad?
Rules for bypassing the bus may vary in other countries. For example:
- 🇺🇸 USA: Most states have a rule "walk 10 feet (3 meters) around the back of the bus". Violation is punishable by a fine of up to $250.
- 🇩🇪 Germany: Pedestrians must wait until the bus leaves and cross the road only at the zebra crossing. Bypassing vehicles is punishable by a fine of up to €100.
- 🇬🇧 UK: Rule "stop, look, listen, think" (stop, look, listen, think). Walking around the bus in front or behind is not prohibited, but the pedestrian must ensure safety.
- 🇯🇵 Japan: Pedestrians always give way to vehicles. You can walk around the bus only after it has left.
It's interesting that in Scandinavian countries (Sweden, Norway) pedestrians have priority at uncontrolled crossings, but even there, passing a bus outside the zebra crossing is considered a violation.
In Russia, the rules are closer to the European model, but with one caveat: Responsibility for an accident with a pedestrian always falls on the driver, if the pedestrian did not violate traffic rules. Therefore, many drivers in Russia are more careful, but this does not eliminate the need to follow the rules.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about bus bypass
❓ Is it possible to walk around the front of a bus if it is at a stop near the sidewalk?
No, even if the bus is parked at the curb, it is dangerous to pass in front of it. It is better to wait until he leaves and cross the road in an authorized place. If there is a pedestrian crossing nearby, use it.
❓ What should I do if the bus is at a stop and I urgently need to cross the road?
If the situation is critical (for example, you are in a hurry to catch another bus), find the nearest pedestrian crossing or wait until the transport leaves. It's not worth risking your life for a few minutes.
❓ What is the punishment for bypassing the bus not according to the rules?
Fine from 500 to 1500 rubles (Article 12.29 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation). If your actions lead to an accident, damages may be awarded.
❓ Why can’t you pass behind a bus on a multi-lane road?
Because drivers in the second and third lanes may not see the pedestrian because of the bus. The risk of a collision is very high, especially if the car is moving at high speed.
❓ How to teach a child to bypass the bus correctly?
Explain that a bus is a large car that may not see a pedestrian. Teach your child:
- Always hold the hand of an adult.
- Don't run out from behind the bus.
- Wait for the vehicle to leave and only then cross the road.
Main rule: never go out onto the roadway because of stopped traffic, even if it seems to you that the road is empty. Most accidents with pedestrians occur precisely because of haste and carelessness.