Tyler Star News
SISTERSVILLE, W.Va. — What’s the most dangerous part of the school day? It’s when children board or get off of the school bus, according to transportation experts. If drivers illegally pass a stopped bus that has its flashing lights on and stop arm out they risk hitting and seriously injuring or killing a child.
An average of about six students across the country each year were killed while attempting to board or get off of their school buses, according to the National School Bus Loading and Unloading Survey. The number of injuries and near misses is believed to be much higher.
The biggest challenge officials say they face in combating illegal bus passings is that drivers often simply do not know the local laws, which vary from state to state.
West Virginia School Bus Laws state that School buses are responsible for safely transporting children to and from school. When approaching a bus, you must observe the following rules: traffic in both directions must stop before reaching a school bus that has its red lights flashing which is receiving or discharging students on all highways, streets, parking lots, private roads or driveways You may not proceed until the bus resumes motion, or you are signaled by the school bus driver to proceed or the visual signals are no longer actuated. Only on Interstate Highways does traffic coming toward a school bus stopped on the other side of the median not have to stop.
The penalty for passing a stopped school bus is a minimum of 30 days driver’s license suspension and a minimum fine of $150 for the first offense. Subsequent offenses have increased penalties.
Read more: https://www.tylerstarnews.com/opinions/editorial/2024/08/22/editorial-schools-in-session-slow-down/
