School buses are part of the vehicles that ply the road especially when schools are in session. As the name implies, they are usually used in conveying school children to school and from school.
In most states, there are laws in place that don’t permit vehicle drivers to pass school buses that are loading or unloading school children.
These laws are in place to prevent children/pedestrian accidents. Violators of these laws get ticketed but will they get a ticket in the mail?
Yes, you will get a ticket in the mail for passing a school bus if the bus has cameras and records the violation and the bus driver calls and made a report to the police about the violation.
Will I Get a Ticket in the Mail for Passing a School Bus?
Yes, you will likely get a ticket in the mail for passing a school bus provided you didn’t get ticketed before leaving the scene.
The possibility of getting a ticket in the mail for passing a school bus depends on if the school bus camera captures you doing so or if the bus driver reports you.
What if the school bus driver decided to not make a report about what you did? You will likely not get a ticket. Therefore, getting a ticket in the mail for passing a school bus depends on two major factors, they are:
- The school bus camera captured your vehicle making the violation
- The school bus driver make a report about the violation
If any of these factors are not put in place, you will not get a ticket in the mail for passing a school bus. In fact, the school bus camera must have captured your car and your license plate violating the law, else, there won’t be evidence to back up the report filed by the bus driver.
When to Pass a School Bus
Although it is lawful for drivers to stop and not pass a school bus when it is loading or unloading school children, there are some exceptions to these laws. Here are when to pass a school bus:
1. When You are on a Divided Roadway
A driver can pass a school bus when the roadway is divided by a physical barrier with the vehicle and school bus on either side of the road and headed in opposite directions
2. If it’s Safe
Also, on a roadway, you are allowed to pass the school bus when it is safe to do so. When there is no chance of a pedestrian accident occurring, a driver can pass a school bus that’s either loading or unloading.
3. When There is a Loading Zone
In some states, there are loading zones off the main road where school buses park to load and unload. In such cases, a driver can pass the school bus.
4. No Flashing Light
When the school bus flashing lights are no longer on.
However, please ensure to verify the law that covers your municipality about when to pass a school bus before doing so as laws can differ from one state to another.
When Not to Pass a School Bus
You are not expected to pass a school bus when:
- You are behind or approaching the school bus from the front
- The warning lights are activated. In some states, once the bus warning light comes on, a driver is expected to stop at least 10 – 25 feet or 50 meters behind it. The driver is to remain behind the bus until the warning light goes off or the bus moves.
- You are on a two-lane road that has a central turning lane
- On a road with a divided roadway, vehicles behind the school bus are expected to stop
- The school bus is actively loading or unloading passengers
- The school bus stops with or without the warning light on. The purpose of the warning light is to inform other road users that the bus is about to stop but, in the event, that the light doesn’t come on you are still expected to stop when the school bus stops.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Ticket for Passing a School Bus?
The length of time it takes to get a ticket in the mail for passing a school bus depends on the state and jurisdiction. It also depends on who caught and report you to the authority.
The longer it takes for the situation to get reported, the longer it takes for you to get a ticket for passing a school bus in your mail.
Generally, you will get a ticket or an intent of prosecution for passing a school bus in your mail within 14 days.
14 days is the legal limit in some states after which nothing may really be done about it except in cases where there was an accident. However, in some other states, it could take as long as 2 – 4 weeks.
Also depending on the person reporting, you can get a ticket within 48 hours of being reported. It is also possible that you get away without a ticket if nobody saw you or makes a report about your passing the school bus.
Cost of Ticket for Passing a School Bus?
The cost of a ticket for passing a school bus varies per state and can be quite expensive because this offense is considered a big violation.
Irrespective of the state, the cost of a ticket for passing a school bus is between $250 – $400 and for a repeat offender with multiple infractions in a year, the cost of the ticket could be up to $1000.
For a first-time offender, the cost of the ticket is usually lower than that of a second-time offender. The ticket given is also accompanied by a demerit point.
In some states, the offender gets a ticket, a demerit point (5 or 6), and also jail time. The cost of the ticket for passing a school bus is always expensive irrespective of the state because traffic judges do not take offenses involving school children lightly.
Who May Report Vehicles that Improperly Pass School Buses?
There are majorly two sets of people who can report vehicles that improperly pass a school bus. They are:
The School Bus Driver or Operator
When a school bus driver notices a bus improperly passing the school bus, he is expected to prepare a signed, written report indicating a violation has occurred.
The report should have information such as;
- The identity of the violator
- The time and location of the violation
- Identification of the vehicle (whether it’s a car, truck, motorcycle, etc.)
- The license number and color of the vehicle involved.
He is also expected to provide information on whether the school bus is equipped with a side stop signal arm enforcement system.
The reporting should be done within 48 hours after the violation occurred and the police department has the authority to exercise power in that particular location.
Other Drivers
Drivers of other vehicles can also report vehicles that improperly pass a school bus. However, they must provide clear evidence to back up their claim.
Conclusion
Different state has different laws regarding drivers passing school buses, if you are not really sure what the law regarding such is in your state of residence, you can do well to find out to avoid being a violator.
