Tip of the Month.
They're back ! (Back to school that is.)
It's that time of year again. Please help protect all children by observing
all the laws (MRSA
Title 29-A, Chapter 19, Subchapter 4) and rules governing school
buses.
Did you know:
- That a school bus operator activates flashing lights 100 feet before
a stop is made to receive or discharge passengers.
- That you have to stop and wait anytime* you encounter a school bus
on a roadway, in a parking area or on school property if it has stopped
with its red lights flashing to receive or discharge passengers. You
may not proceed until the school bus resumes motion or until signaled
by the school bus operator to proceed.
- That illegally passing a school bus is punishable by a $250 minimum
fine for the first offense and a mandatory 30-day license suspension
for a 2nd offense occurring within 3 years of the first offense.
- That school buses must stop at all Rail Road crossings.
Here are a few suggestions:
- Be on the lookout for children waiting for the bus.
- Anticipate when buses will be out and allow yourself extra commuting
time accordingly.
- Proceed with caution past all school buses, whether lights are activated
or not.
- Watch out when travelling past schools or school grounds.
Remember, children are not always looking out for you, so you have
to look out for them.
* By law
it is not necessary to stop for a school bus when you are separated
from it by a curbing or other physical barrier. CAUTION: other motorists
may stop even though they don't need to, watch out for them.
