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Clarksville Police remind Citizens of School Bus Stop Law

Clarksville Police Department - CPDClarksville, TN – The Clarksville Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System is reminding everyone of the School Bus Stop Law. Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools start with a half day on Monday, August 8th, 2016 and then begin full day schedule on Wednesday, August 10th.

Any driver meeting a school bus or church bus on which the red stop warning signal lights are flashing should reduce his speed and bring the vehicle to a complete stop while the bus stop signal arm is extended. The vehicle must remain stopped until the stop arm is pulled back and the bus resumes motion.

School Bus Stop Rules
School Bus Stop Rules

Overtaking A School Bus

Any driver approaching a school bus or church bus from the rear shall not pass the bus when red stop warning signal lights are flashing. The vehicle must come to a complete stop when the bus is stopped. The vehicle must remain stopped until the stop arm is pulled back and the bus resumes motion.

School Bus Warning Lights

It is illegal to pass a school bus that has stopped to load or unload students.

Never pass on the right side of the bus, as this is where the children enter or exit.

This is illegal and can have tragic results. You must stop and remain stopped until:

  • The bus has started moving, OR
  • The driver motions for you to proceed, OR
  • The visual signals are no longer activated such as the red flashing lights go off and/or the stop arm is pulled back.

Yellow Flashing Lights

When the Yellow lights on the front and back of the bus are flashing the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop their vehicles.

Red Flashing Lights

When the Red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended this indicates that the bus has stopped and that children are now getting on or off the bus.

Motorist must stop their cars and wait until the Red flashing lights are turned off, the stop arm is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving again before they start driving again.

Special Notes

  1. When driving on a highway with separate roadways for traffic in opposite directions, divided by median space or a barrier not suitable for vehicular traffic, the driver need not stop, but should proceed with caution. A turn lane in the middle of a four-lane highway is NOT considered a barrier, but a fifth lane that is suitable for vehicular traffic. Drivers meeting a stopped school bus on this type of road would be required to stop in both directions.
  1. When a school bus is stopped at an intersection to load and unload children, drivers from ALL directions are required to stop until the bus resumes motion.

Penalites

It is a Class A misdemeanor and the driver can be fined between $250.00 and $1,000 for not stopping for a stopped school bus.

Typical Fines & Cost are $465.50 plus 6 points on your Driver’s License.

This law is the same in ALL 50 states!

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