Southington Police Offering School Bus Safety Guidelines

SOUTHINGTON, CT — Southington police this week are reminding drivers of the heavy fines associated with drivers passing a school bus with students either loading or unloading.

Here are the basic rules:

• Stop at least 10 feet from a school buses that has its flashing red signal lights activated and remain stopped while the red lights are flashing, unless otherwise directed by a traffic officer. The law applies to drivers traveling in both the same and opposite direction as the school bus.

• At intersections motorists are prohibited from turning toward a bus that has its red lights flashing.
• The penalty for a first time offense for passing a school bus while children are getting on or off is $450.
• For subsequent offenses the fine is between $500 and $1,000 up to 30 days in jail, or both.

For students going to and from the bus stop the following safety tips are recommended:

• Walk to and from a bus stop. Do not run.
• Walk on the sidewalk when going to and from the bus stop. If there is no sidewalk, walk on the left facing traffic.

• Arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes early.
• While at the bus stop remain a safe distance from the road. Do not run around and play while waiting for the bus.

• Do not talk to strangers while at the bus stop.
• Do not accept a ride from a stranger while at the bus stop.
• If a stranger approaches you at the bus stop report it to your parents or teacher immediately.
• Students should wait for the bus to arrive, watch for the red flashing lights and stop sing to be extended. Students need to look both ways before crossing and cross only when all traffic has stopped.
• Students should only get off the bus at their designated stops.
• Once students get off the bus after school they should go straight home so an adult will knows where they are.
• Students who drop something near the bus need to tell the driver before picking it up.

The Southington Police Department will be conducting directed patrols with the goal of educating and deterring motorists from passing school buses that are loading and unloading children.

School starts Aug. 31. Click here for the full school calendars.

Photo Credit: Patch File