Bus routes can be found here.
Red Flashing Lights of a School Bus
The operator of a vehicle on a way, in a parking area on school property, on meeting or overtaking a school bus from either direction when the bus has stopped with its red lights flashing to receive or discharge passengers, shall stop the vehicle before reaching the school bus. The operator may not proceed until the school bus resumes motion or until signaled by the school bus operator to proceed.
Penalty: A violation of this section is a class E crime which. Notwithstanding Title 17-A. section 1301. is punishable by a $250 minimum fine for the first offense and a mandatory 30-day suspension of a driver’s license for a 2 offence occurring within 3 years of the first offense
Registered owner’s liability for vehicle passing a school bus. A person who is a registered owner of a vehicle at the time that vehicle is involved in a violation of subsection 2 commits a traffic infraction. For purposes of this subsection. “Registered owner” includes a person issued a dealer or transporter registration plate.
Facts to help you
1. When amber lights are flashing operators of vehicles approaching or overtaking the bus should start to slow down, as the bus will stop usually within 100 feet thus the red lights will then be activated.
2. School bus operators are not allowed to receive or discharge passengers until the approaching vehicles have ceased motion.
3 .When vehicles are in a hurry to get somewhere and they come upon a bus with red lights flashing and the passengers have neither been received nor discharged. The quicker the vehicle comes to a full stop the quicker the loading or unloading will be. The faster they will be able to be on their way.
The Danger Zones
Question: What is meant by “The Danger Zones”?
Answer: The Danger Zones are the areas that are not visible to the driver.
Question: What can parents do to help?
Answer: If your child has missed the regular bus stop and you need to catch the bus. Never allow your child to try and load by going through any of “The Danger Zones”, as they are not visible to the driver
Question: Why are these zones not visible to the driver?
Answer: The simplest answer is that the bus mirrors are magnified and in these zones the children disappear just like a magician makes objects seem to disappear.
Question: Doesn’t the driver’s mirrors see vehicles behind them?
Answer: If the vehicles are large enough and back far enough away from the bus.
Loading and Unloading
Question: How can I help?
Answer: You can help by being very careful when in a school yard, as little children are apt to go to see a friend anywhere on the school grounds at anytime. Even though they know they are not allowed, they get excited and forget! So we as adults need to help them by making sure that we stop for the Red flashing Lights of the school bus no matter where that bus is!
Question: Are there any other things I can help with?
Answer: Yes any time you are near a school bus please drive carefully!