State Police: Be Wary of School Bus Safety on Tolland Roads

School starts on Aug. 28. 

That means the local fleet of school buses will be on the roads throughout the day - and the days ahead. 

State police are reminding residents to be mindful of school bus safety at all times. 

Last spring, just after school concluded, extra signs were placed on Merrow Road near the Goose Lane intersection to make drivers aware that school buses stop there. The stretch of busy road is notorious for cars passing stopped school buses. 

The law stipulates that cars must stop for flashing amber or red lights on a school bus on undivided roads with multiple lanes, even if a vehicle is in the furthest lane from the bus on the opposite side of the road, state police said. 

The first-offense fine for passing a stopped school bus with its lights flashing is $465. Subsequent offenses require a summons to be issued.  School bus drivers have been directed to take down the registration plates of cars violating the  bus-stop rules and state police said they investigate all instances. 

Here are other important school bus safety tips to keep in mind, state police said: 

• Cars should stop on both amber and red flashing school bus lights. 

• Drivers should assume that students are looking at the bus and not them. 

• The ideal stopping distance both in front and in back of a school bus is 10 feet. 

• Buses are n the roads all day during the school year. 

• Students should wait 10 feet from the curb and not proceed toward the bus until the driver nods and the red lights are flashing. 

• Drivers should not pass a stopped school bus with red flashing lights inside a school parking lot. 

• Motorists should take extra precautions on Crystal Lake Road during the school day because of several blind spots on the road.