Sheldon, Iowa — Riding a school is the safest way for your child to travel to and from school, even safer than riding in your own vehicle, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation.
They say the children are at the greatest risk when approaching or leaving the school bus. Motorists need to remain constantly alert to students as they exit or enter the bus, or move in front of it to cross a road.
Every year motorists ignore the flashing lights and extended stop arm, and pass the stopped school bus. Sheldon Police Chief Lyle Bolkema says this year has been pretty much the same story, with several motorists ignoring the lights and stop arms, and facing the legal penalties associated with violating that law.
The penalties for passing a stopped school bus, first offense, includes a fine between $250 and $675, as well as a 30-day suspension of your driver’s license. In addition, the court may decide to send you to jail for up to 30-days in addition, or instead of, a fine. For a second offense, the fine increases to $315 to $1,875, and/or up to a year in jail, along with a 90-day license suspension. Third and subsequent violations of the law call for a $315 to $1,875 fine, and/or up to a year in jail, along with a 6-month license suspension.
While the law provides some pretty stiff penalties for driving around that stopped school bus, the emotional penalty of hitting and injuring or killing a child would be devastating.
Remember, when the yellow lights on a school bus are flashing, that means the bus is preparing to stop, and you should prepare to stop, as well. When the red lights are flashing and the “stop” arm is extended, motorists approaching the buss from both behind and from the front are required to stop until the redlights go out and the stop arm is retracted.
