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| Just because summer just started doesn't mean we should let our guard down when it comes to school buses. |
DEAR
SERGEANT AL: The other day I received a ticket for passing a school bus with
flashing lights. The road I was citied on however was a rural three-lane
highway in either direction with a center grassy median near an exit. There was
a concrete divider that would have made it difficult for the kids to climb over
if they wanted to cross over the highway. Was the officer within his purview to
cite me for a ticket, and was it wrong of me not to stop? –FLASHING LIGHTS ON
WRONG HIGHWAY ON LARGE EXIT
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| Even if this was a three lane highway, be prepared to come to a full stop with school buses with flashing red lights. Don't take anything involving a school bus for granted. |
DEAR
FLOW HOLE: Passing a school bus in either direction while its lights are
flashing and while boarding or unloading children or any kind of passengers for
that matter, is a very serious violation in ALL states. Some states carry a
serious penalty of at least a $500 fine, half of the points taken off your
license, and in some jurisdictions, even jail time. My intuition tells me that
perhaps you haven’t realized the magnitude of your situation, that you are in
serious trouble, and perhaps you do need to speak to a traffic attorney to see
what your options are so that you can set up a strategy to defend yourself in
court. My intuition also tells me that there are either pedestrian or school
zone signs posted on that roadway warning motorists that school buses may stop
in that location. The presence or lack of those signs may help or hurt in your
defense, so I suggest you go back and find out what’s posted along that stretch
of the road, and present whatever evidence you find to your lawyer.
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| I'll take it easy on the gruesome bus crash photos to know I've made my point. |
Passing
a school bus is the most serious of all traffic infractions, and we always need
to be careful, even in the summer when kids still ride yellow school buses on
field trips, summer camp, summer school, the library, Islamic school on Friday,
Hebrew school on Saturday, Sunday school (ALL faiths), the town pool or lake,
and summer baseball/softball games. I would be careful with ALL buses in the
summer, even coaches as they haul kids to Disney, Universal, Sea World, Six
Flags, etc. I should warn you, such a case like this in traffic court does not
look good when you think about it, and hear how it sounds as the officer or prosecutor testifies: while a yellow school bus with flashing red
lights was boarding/unloading kids, you sailed right on through the red lights and kept
on going. Be warned of the evil looks you might get in traffic court: no one
wants their kids boarding/leaving a bus under those circumstances and it makes you look almost criminal. But I see the point
you’re trying to convey about the locale being what could be an interstate highway,
which most people would not expect they have to stop under such circumstances.
In California according to the California Vehicle Code for example, you are exempted from stopping for a school bus with flashing red lights on the opposite side of the road if the highway has at least three lanes WITH a concrete divider. If possible I would still try to stop anyway. Also understand however, that in some parts of the country there are people who live
right off an interstate highway, and with that in mind we have to be careful
when we see a school bus and stop under ALL circumstances whenever or however possible.
So to answer your question FLOW HOLE:, yes the officer was probably correct in his judgment to take enforcement action depending on the state this occurred, especially if there are signs on the road warning you to be prepared to stop, and yes, you should have probably stopped, but this also depends on what your state's laws are governing a stopped school bus with flashing lights on a divided roadway with a concrete divider. This is another reason why you need to talk to a lawyer to find out if you were exempted from stopping. FLOW HOLE: I’m CITING you with a violation: Even if you are exempted from stopping for a school bus with flashing red lights on a highway, err on the side of good defensive driving: When in doubt always stop for a school bus, take inventory of who leaves/enters the bus, and note where they disappear to off the road before you resume; you don’t ever want to participate in a tragedy that will have consequences for the rest of your life, especially with children. Don’t be cheap here, and don’t cut corners; you’re in big trouble citizen! Spend the money, go find yourself an attorney, find out if you are exempt from stopping, do the leg work to find out what signs are posted there, and get yourself into court PRONTO!
This video is a chilling head-on crash with a school bus loaded with passengers:
Take a look at this woman who drove on a sidewalk to pass a school bus with flashing lights and pay attention to what the judge did to her when she got caught:
So to answer your question FLOW HOLE:, yes the officer was probably correct in his judgment to take enforcement action depending on the state this occurred, especially if there are signs on the road warning you to be prepared to stop, and yes, you should have probably stopped, but this also depends on what your state's laws are governing a stopped school bus with flashing lights on a divided roadway with a concrete divider. This is another reason why you need to talk to a lawyer to find out if you were exempted from stopping. FLOW HOLE: I’m CITING you with a violation: Even if you are exempted from stopping for a school bus with flashing red lights on a highway, err on the side of good defensive driving: When in doubt always stop for a school bus, take inventory of who leaves/enters the bus, and note where they disappear to off the road before you resume; you don’t ever want to participate in a tragedy that will have consequences for the rest of your life, especially with children. Don’t be cheap here, and don’t cut corners; you’re in big trouble citizen! Spend the money, go find yourself an attorney, find out if you are exempt from stopping, do the leg work to find out what signs are posted there, and get yourself into court PRONTO!
This video is a chilling head-on crash with a school bus loaded with passengers:
TRIVIA:
What is the official color of a school bus called? HINT: No, believe it or not,
it is not YELLOW. ANSWER: The
official color of a school bus is called “National School Bus Chrome” and by
federal law it has become the national and official school bus color of all
school buses in the United States. The reasons for this are obvious, and so
popular and common sense that other countries are adopting the same standard
for their school buses. The AAA really needs to expand their school campaign: IT’S
SUMMER. SCHOOLS ARE ALWAYS OPEN. SCHOOL BUSES ARE STILL RUNNING. SCHOOL
CHILDREN STILL AT SCHOOL AND AT PLAY FOR THE SUMMER. DRIVE CAREFULLY.
Suggested
Reading:
What is a CARMAGEDDON and when will
it happen?
Am I allowed to walk on a highway?
Suggested Reading:
The
definition of a “Concours” car and event
Suggested Reading:
Suggested Reading:
What is the new national terror alert warning?
Taking photographs at off-limits tourist landmarks .
What is a police mobilization and what kinds are there?
I agree with you - school bus concern is at a low and the AAA should make a campaign to drive the message about school bus safety.
ReplyDeleteYes, there should be more awareness when it comes to this. Passing a school bus ANYTIME during the year is probably one of the most serious traffic offenses one can commit next to excessive speeding. Passing a school bus almost makes one look criminal in court, and nobody wants their children leaving/boarding a school bus under those circumstances. Thanks for sharing, and let me know if there is a topic you'd like for me to cover!
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