OSKALOOSA —
The Oskaloosa Police Department says drivers need to remember to exercise common sense and follow the law when encountering school buses.
OPD Lt. Craig Alexander said there had been five bus passing violations reported to the OPD this school year, which began Aug. 20. Alexander said bus drivers try to get the license plate numbers of vehicles that pass them unlawfully.
Drivers who unlawfully pass school buses can be given a citation, said Alexander, who serves as the school resource officer. Those drivers can also have their licenses suspended for 30 days and a fine of $250 to $650.
Alexander encouraged drivers to consider avoiding driving through areas where there are bus stops, if possible. Those interested in knowing where the bus stops are can contact the OPD at 673-3201.
About 150 feet before a school bus makes a stop, its lights will start to flash to indicate a stop is coming. At that point it is unlawful to pass the bus, Alexander said.
Most school buses only need to stop for 30 seconds to a minute at each stop, said Alexander.
Dale Nelson, maintenance and transportation director for Oskaloosa Community School District, said the main reason why drivers need to pay attention to school buses and their passengers is for the safety of the children.
Nelson said there are approximately 30 school bus stops made by Oskaloosa School District buses. There are both morning and afternoon routes taken by these buses, as well as preschool routes during the day, said Nelson.
Some basic safe driving tips include:
• Obeying school bus stop laws — it is unlawful to pass a school bus from either direction when red or amber warning signals are flashing. The driver of a vehicle shall stop no closer than 15 feet from the school bus. This law applies to all bus stops, even in town. There are approximately 30 bus stops throughout Oskaloosa, with the largest stops being at all the former elementary schools. During the 2011-12 school year 10 citations were issued for “unlawful passing of a school bus.”
• Avoiding school zones and bus stops during arrival and dismissal times, 7:25 a.m. – 8 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. – 4 p.m.
• Slowing down in school and residential areas
• Watching for clues that warn of children in the area such as bikes, school buses and school crossing signs
• Clearing fog and snow/ice covered windows before driving
• Obeying all traffic laws
• Never discharge or pick up students in the middle of the road, always pull to the curb and have them cross at the appropriate crosswalk
CNHI/Southeast Iowa
Related Photos
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The lighted stop signs on this school bus are demonstrated Wednesday morning. Herald photo by Andy Goodell
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Bus passing incidents draw Oskaloosa police attention
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