In a matter of days, county drivers will encounter school buses during their commutes or regular driving hours.
To keep us all safe, here are some rules of the road to remember as school gets back in session:
- Drivers must stop at least 20 feet from a school bus when the STOP sign is extended and red lights flash.
- Drivers may NOT pass the bus from any direction until the STOP signals are off and the bus starts moving again.
- On roads separated by medians or other barriers drivers traveling in the same direction as the bus must stop. Drivers traveling in the other direction are not required to stop.
- Violations captured by the onboard school bus cameras carry a fine of $250.
- Violaters stopped by a police officer could be fined up to $570 and have 3 points put on their driver’s license.
As County Police Chief Marc Yamada points out, “When drivers speed through school zones or ignore a school bus stop arm, they put children’s lives at risk. We need every driver to do their part. Slow down, pay attention and follow the law. Our officers will be out to help ensure students get to and from school safely.”
