Parent Teacher Magazine Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools September 2014

School Bus Stop Law Passing a Stopped School Bus Passing a stopped school bus could be a very costly mistake. If convicted for passing a stopped school bus in North Carolina; the General Statute carries an accessment of 5 points on your license, a fine of up to $200, and a significant increase in your insurance. In December, 2013, a bill passed the North Carolina General Assembly that would increase the penalities for passing a stopped school bus with the stop arm deployed. Senate Bill 16 amended the law by allowing the Division of Motor Vehicles to revoke the driver’s licenses of illegal bus passers. First convictions could result in the revocation of the individual’s driver’s license for 30 days for the first offense. Passing a stopped school bus is a Class I misdemeanor, that is punishable by up to 120 days in jail and significant discretionary fines by the court. If a motorist passes a stopped school bus and strikes a child causing bodily injury, the driver would be charged with a Class I felony, punishable by 15 months in prison and given fines discretionary by the court. It is not uncommon for motorist to drive recklessly when approaching a school bus. When you see the amber lights on a school bus, that means the motorist should start slowing down. The bus driver is activating the amber lights to give the motorist notice that they are getting ready to activate the red lights and stop. Driving reckessly to get around a school bus that is driving safely, not only endangers the motorist, but also the children on the school bus. Help keep the children of CharlotteMecklenburg Schools safe. The Nort

Parent Teacher Magazine Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools September 2014 | Page 18