The laws regarding passing school buses are important ones. Obviously, they are designed to protect children from potential harm. Not only are there court fines involved for failure to obey these laws, but school bus violations can also represent insurance points. What are the rules concerning school bus insurance points?
First, it is important to understand the law regarding school buses. Take a look at Chapter 4 of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle’s manual to refresh your memory. Quite simply, you are required to stop your vehicle when a school bus has its red lights illuminated. The bus driver will normally initiate yellow lights before turning on the red ones. The red lights indicate that the school bus is picking up or discharging students. Obviously, there is the potential for children to
dart into traffic once they enter or exit a school bus.
It does not matter which side of the street you are travelling when confronted with a school bus with red lights illuminated. Motorists on both sides on the roadway are expected to stop until the driver has turned off the red lights. Motor vehicles are expected to stop not less than 25 feet from the school bus.
More information concerning stopping for school buses can be found in the actual statute. These include the provisions for precautions necessary when a school bus is driving and picking up passengers on a divided highway. Drivers in the opposite direction are required to reduce their speeds to under 10 MPH.
At NJ Ticket Attorney, we recognize that you may have inadvertently disobeyed the law concerning the passing of school buses. However. the penalties are strict as outlined below:
• First offense: Fine or imprisonment not exceeding 15 days or 15 days community service, or both $100.
• Subsequent offense: Fine or imprisonment not exceeding 15 days, or both $250 none 5 MVC/DMV points and 5 additional car insurance points.
If you have been accused of this offense, it is crucial to secure legal representation. Our office has more than three decades in traffic court. Please call us to set up a meeting to discuss your case.
