Watch for the Kids Where the School Bus is!
Each year, a great number of crashes involving school buses are caused by the drives of other motor vehicles.
Police cite: too fast for conditions, failure to yield , and inattentive driving, as main causes.
So, whenever you see a school bus, please, use caution! You’re not only protecting the kids on the bus, you are protecting yourself.
A Stopped School Bus with Flashing Red Lights…
You must stop at least 20 feet in front of or 20 feet behind the bus. You may NOT pass.
In addition to red lights, you will see a stop sign extended from the bus, which means children are in the process of boarding or exiting. It is critical that you stop in these situations, because children sometimes are required to cross the road in front of the bus.
The only exception to this rule is on a divided highway, then traffic going in the opposite direction on the other side of the highway do not have to stop. A divided highway means a road that is physically separated, and a vehicle cannot cross to the other side.
If you pass a stopped school bus with flashing red lights, the bus driver can write down your license plate number and it is possible that you could get fined approximately $312.00.
A Stopped School Bus with Flashing
Yellow Lights…
You may proceed with caution. This will occur primarily in places where there are sidewalks and curbs. Children are instructed to wait on the sidewalk until the bus pulls away, then cross the street. But, caution still should be used, as children sometimes do the unexpected.
Keep in mind that speed limits in school zones can drop anywhere from 10 to 20 M.P.H., or more from the posted speed limit sign.
Be aware of your surroundings and take note of signage in these areas.
Fines can start from $100.00, and go up to over $300.00, for speeding in school zones.
