Johnston Police Department Reminds Drivers of Bus Safety, Violations Fines

With , it's never too late for a refresher on speed zones and school bus laws.

Earlier this week, the released a reminder on Facebook about different driving scenarios and violation fines:

Two-lane road and the school bus is displaying flashing yellow lights
Flashing yellow lights are an indication that the bus is going to stop. It is illegal to pass a school bus from behind when yellow lights are flashing. When approaching a school bus traveling the opposite direction, a driver mush slow the vehicle to 20 miles per hour or less when yellow lights are seen, and be prepared to stop when the stop arm is extended and red lights flash.

Two-land road and the school bus is displaying flashing red lights and an extended stop arm
The bus is letting passengers on or off. It is illegal to pass a school bus from behind or from the opposite travel direction under this scenario. A driver must come to a complete stop at least 15 feet from the bus and remain stopped until the vehicle's flashing red lights deactivate and the stop arm is retracted. At all times, drivers should remain alert for pedestrians.

Roadway with two or more lanes in each direction
A driver must stop when approaching the school bus from behind when yellow or red lights flash. However, under these roadway conditions, drivers need not stop when meeting a school bus traveling in the opposite direction. School bus drivers are not permitted to let passengers on or off the bus in situations where they must cross multiple lanes of traffic.

School bus stop arm violation fines:
First offense - Not less than $350 and no more than $750 and/or a year in jail.
Second offense - in a five year period of time - fine of $750 to $1,500 and/or up to a year in prison, suspension of license for 90 days.
Third offense - in five year period of time - Class D felony to include jail time. Fine of $750 to $7,500 and/or five years in jail suspension of license for 180 days.

Drives should pay special caution when traveling through the .