FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 6, 2004

CONTACT: SID GAULDEN, 803-896-8409

 

HIGHWAY PATROL BEGINS SCHOOL BUS ENFORCEMENT EFFORT

 

COLUMBIA -- The South Carolina Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol began increased enforcement on school bus routes this week around the state. The increased enforcement will correspond with school opening dates and continue from now until September.

 

For the third year, the Highway Patrol will partner with the SC Department of Education to identify areas of the state with a large number of school bus stop arm violations or other reported problems on school bus routes. The Highway Patrol will again use a number of enforcement methods to detect violations including placing troopers on selected buses to observe violations, having troopers shadow buses on their routes and use of special enforcement vehicles such as motorcycles and unmarked patrol cars to monitor bus routes.

 

“This is the time of year when we rely on motorists to increase their vigilance in residential areas, on school bus routes and in school zones,” said Highway Patrol Col. Russell Roark. “Children and traffic are always a volatile combination because children tend toward impulsive decisions, which can be deadly. Drivers should not assume child pedestrians will make responsible, mature decisions.”

 

The law regarding when to stop for a school bus changed last August. Under the new law, children will no longer cross multi-lane highways to board the bus. Correspondingly, the law no longer requires drivers on a highway with two or more lanes on each side to stop when traveling in the opposing direction of the bus.

 

When does a driver stop for a school bus (see attached poster for illustration)? 

• Motorists must always stop when they are traveling behind a bus with flashing amber or red lights.
• When motorists are approaching a stopped school bus with flashing red lights from the opposite direction, drivers must stop if they are on a two-lane road.
• If motorists are on a four-lane (or more) highway or private road and meet a stopped school bus, they do not have to stop. However, drivers should slow down and proceed with caution.

 

After stopping for a stopped school bus, drivers must not proceed until the bus resumes motion or the flashing red lights have been turned off.

 

The fine for passing a stopped school bus can be as much as $1,000 and up to 30 days in jail for a first offense.

 

For more information on school bus safety enforcement efforts in your area or media opportunities, please contact your local community relations officer.

 

Links:

Poster (PDF file)

School Bus Safety Rules for Motorists (MS Word file)

The Danger Zone (MS Word file)

Getting On and Off the Bus Safely (MS Word file)

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