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District News
"Back to School"
It is that time of the year when our kids head
back to school.
Over the summer, a couple of things made driving safer. First,
without school buses and kids on the road, there was less
traffic. Second, the long days improved driving visibility.
Together, these factors made it safer to drive.
But, summer fades into September, and school is back in session.
The sun rises later and there are children on the side of the
road waiting for their school bus. There is fog on cool mornings
and school buses slowing the drive to work. As responsible
drivers, we have to be more aware of our surroundings than we
did during the summer months.
If you are approaching a school bus and the yellow lights are
flashing, be prepared to stop. The bus driver is indicating that
he is approaching a bus stop and is about to pick-up or drop-off
students.
When you see the bus’s red lights flashing, YOU MUST STOP. This
includes school buses that are on the opposite side of a divided
highway; on a multiple-lane roadway; in parking lots and ON
SCHOOL GROUNDS.
When the bus’s red flashing lights are
activated, YOU MUST STOP. This includes school buses
that are on the opposite side of a divided highway; on a
multiple lane roadway; in parking lots and ON SCHOOL GROUNDS.
The Bus Loops are closed to all motor vehicle
traffic from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
You failure to stop for a school bus that has
its red lights flashing will result in a ticket being issued.
“It is the policy of the Montgomery County
District Attorney’s Office to require any person charged with
“Passing a Stopped School Bus” to either plead guilty, as
charged, or go to trial.” said Montgomery County District
Attorney James “Jed” Conboy. He went on to warn, “Motorists are
reminded that the charge carries a minimum $250.00 fine and 5
points on their driver’s record.”
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PENALTIES FOR PASSING A STOPPED SCHOOL BUS $$
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| By Conviction |
Minimum Fine |
Maximum Fine |
Possible Imprisonment |
| First Conviction |
$250.00 |
$400.00 |
Up to 30 days |
Second Conviction
(within 3 years) |
$600.00 |
$750.00 |
Up to 180 days |
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Third or Subsequent Convictions
(within 3 years) |
$750.00 |
$850.00 |
Up to 180 days |
“Do not be surprised to see a
Trooper following school buses and watching to see if someone passes a stopped
school bus. The school district and State Police take these complaints very
seriously and a Trooper will promptly follow up on them.” said Trooper Wittner.
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