Danvers Police Alert: School's Back So Slow It Down

DANVERS, MA — After school bus sightings became more sporadic than routine in Danvers over the past 18 months of the coronavirus crisis, police are now reminding residents and drivers commuting through the town to keep an eye out for the buses and follow all laws pertaining to them as school resumes a more normal schedule this fall.

Thursday is the first day of school in Danvers.

"Please be extra cautious of kids walking and biking to school, and allow extra time due to more traffic on the road," Danvers police said. "You may see an increased police presence at the schools as we welcome the students back."

During a six-month period from August 2018 to March 2019, 12 children were killed and another 47 were injured while getting on and off school buses nationwide. Bus stop-arms were extended at the time, which means motorists were required to come to a full stop.

There are some differences in laws from state to state. The law in Massachusetts requires stopping for a bus that has flashing lights and an extended stop sign, whether you are driving from behind or toward the bus. You can only resume driving when the lights stop flashing or the sign folds back in. The same rules apply to pupil transport vehicles, like vans, station wagons, or family sedans, that have flashing red lights and "SCHOOL BUS" signs on top.

Failing to stop or illegally passing a stopped school bus with flashing lights can result in a $250 fine in Massachusetts, at minimum. A second offense by a fine of not less than $500.

That fine can go up to $2,000 and one can get a suspended license for up to a year for subsequent offenses (MGL 90-14).

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)

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