The provisions of section 14-274 as to hours of operation of such motor vehicles and of section 14-257 as to placement of seats in such motor vehicles shall apply to the operation of school buses. Nothing in sections 14-275 to 14-281, inclusive, shall exempt the operator of any school bus from compliance with all laws governing the operation of motor vehicles upon the public highway, including the passing of other school buses similarly engaged. Nothing in said sections shall be construed as giving the operator of any school bus the authority to control traffic manually or by any other means than those specifically stated herein.