WILMINGTON — School is back in session in New Hanover County and that means school buses are back on the roads. After nearly three months without seeing the yellow behemoths in traffic, the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the City of Wilmington are reminding drivers of the rules of the road.
“As the new school year gets underway, we remind everyone to watch for school buses and obey the law, don’t pass a stopped school bus. Leave a little earlier, drive safely and help do your part to help us keep our students safe,” Communications Manager for the City of Wilmington Malissa Talbert said.
For those who don’t know, or maybe have just forgotten over the summer, when it comes to school buses on the streets there are laws in place for drivers to help keep children safe.
“All traffic must stop for a stopped bus, unless its on a road of four or more lanes with a median or center turning lane. In those instances, oncoming traffic does not have to stop … Traffic following a bus must always stop with the bus … “
Passing a stopped school bus that has the stop sign extended is not only unsafe, but it is against the law. Governor Roy Cooper passed a law in July that allows local governments to install cameras on the exterior of buses to catch those breaking the law and passing the stopped vehicles. For drivers who break the law and are caught doing so via an on-board camera, the fines range from $400 all the way up to $1,000, depending on the number of previous violations. Although being caught on camera does not result in an automatic criminal charge, police officers can use the video as evidence to help bring charges against the driver, according to NCDOT.
The NCDOT has released a information graphic to help motorists understand the rules of the road when it comes to passing a school bus.
According to the NCDOT, “All traffic must stop for a stopped bus, unless its on a road of four or more lanes with a median or center turning lane. In those instances, oncoming traffic does not have to stop because children will not be crossing the road to reach the bus. Traffic following a bus must always stop with the bus, if in doubt, always stop for a stopped bus.”
NC School Bus Stop Law INCDOT by Michael James on Scribd
Michael Praats can be reached via email at Michael.p@localvoicemedia.com
