School Bus Safety Rules

How to Drive Safely When Near a School Bus

It is required for drivers to behave extra cautiously when driving near a school bus. With several children seated inside of the large vehicle, many of them could get hurt if involved in an accident. Typically, there are school zone signs near the school area to notify drivers to go 25 mph or less to reduce the likelihood of a child falling victim to an accident.

School buses also have a sign to direct drivers. Once the stop sign is released, all drivers near the school bus must stop to allow children to safely enter or exit the bus. Any driver that goes against these signs will face legal repercussions as they are placing the safety of others at risk. 

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our qualified bus accident attorneys are readily available to assist victims of personal injury. We are committed to making sure you get the justice and compensation you deserve for your losses.

To schedule a free consultation, please contact our 24/7 legal team by calling 213-927-3700 or filling out our quick contact form.

School Bus Safety Rules for Drivers in California

Once the school year starts, it becomes a busy year for students, and even drivers. Traffic becomes common on streets near schools. It is important for drivers to drive safely to prevent any injuries from happening. Two actions must be done in order to reach this objective. You must always slow down and stay alert.

Drop Off Zones

There are specific drop off zones that are available for parents to drop their kids off at school. It is recommended for drivers to be aware of where these drop off zones are to know when to start slowing down when there are children passing the street. 

Rules that apply to school zones include:

• No double parking since it blocks off visibility for children and other drivers. 
• Do not drop off your child across the street from the school. You are putting them at risk of getting hit by a car.
• Try to carpool with friends, family, or neighbors to reduce the amount of traffic surrounding the school.

Once drivers are within 500 to 1,000 feet near the school while there are children present, the general speed limit is 25 mph. In some circumstances, it could be set to 15 mph. In California, if a driver violates the posted speed limit in a school zone, they will be given a penalty. 

• If the driver is caught speeding up to 15 mph over the posted speed limit, then they will be charged $99.
• If the driver is caught speeding up to 25 mph over the posted speed limit, then they will be charged $175.
• If the driver is caught speeding 26 mph or more from the posted speed limit, then they will be charged $350.

Share the Road With Students

To make sure that children are safely walking or crossing the street after getting out of the bus, a driver must:

• Avoid blocking the crosswalk. 
• Stop and yield when the school zone flashers start blinking. 
• Stop when they see a patrol officer or crossing guard holding up a STOP sign. 
• Stay alert and aware when passing by a school zone to make sure you do not harm or injure any children.
• Remain patient when behind a vehicle that is waiting for pedestrians to cross. 
• Always use caution to avoid striking any individual crossing the street.

Share the Road With School Buses

Here are some helpful tips for drivers when they come across a school bus:

• If you see red lights flashing, then you must stop. If you fail to stop, you can be fined up to $1,000 and have your license suspended for one year. 
• Do not pass a stopped school bus with flashing red lights unless you are on a divided highway where the school bus is parked on the opposite side. Failing to comply with this law will result in one point added to your California State driving record.
• Make a stop that is far enough to allow children to safely go in or get out of the bus. It is recommended that you stop at least 10 feet away from the bus. 
• Be on constant alert when you are driving near or past children getting in or leaving a bus. 

Contact Us 

If you are a victim of a bus accident, our expert team of bus accident attorneys at West Coast Trial Lawyers will help you recover compensation for damages you have suffered. This includes medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, emotional distress, and pain and suffering. 

Contact us today by calling 213-927-3700 or filling out our contact form to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our knowledgeable, caring, and compassionate legal team.