Remembering school bus road rules as school starts

As kids head back to school, it’s important to remember the rules of the road regarding school bus safety, as disobeying them can cost you.

Passing a stopped bus can have deadly consequences, and you’ll face a hefty fine if you’re caught: As of January 2021, the penalty for failing to stop for a school bus went from a minimum fine of $100 to $200, and if a second offense is committed within five years, the person’s license will be suspended for up to one year.

The penalty for passing a school bus on the side where children enter and exit when the school bus displays a stop signal went up from a minimum fine of $200 to $400, and if a second offense is committed within five years, the person’s license can be suspended for up to two years.

Here are the rules for a stopped school bus:

• On a two-way street, all vehicles must stop until the bus withdraws the stop sign
• On a multi-lane roadway, all drivers must stop
• On a road with a raised barrier, like a concrete divider or an unpaved space separating traffic, oncoming cars do not have to stop

Don’t forget: School zones are hands-free zones, so put down your phone. If you get busted, you face a $60 fine and three points on your license.