As a driver, you should know when to pass a school bus and when not to because, passing a school bus illegally comes with consequences ranging from hefty fines, to license points, and even criminal charges in severe cases.
When you pass a school bus when it’s flashing lights and stop signs are out, you put the safety of school children at risk. In that case, you will receive a ticket for your actions which will be sent to your mail. So, how do you know if you will get a ticket for passing a school bus?
You’ll know if you will get a ticket for passing a school bus if there’s evidence of you committing the violation. If the school bus camera or another motorist using the road recorded the violation, that’s enough evidence for you know that you will get a ticket for passing a school bus.
How Do I Know If I Will Get a Ticket for Passing a School Bus?
Here’s how to know if you will get a ticket for passing a school bus:
1. If the School Bus Camera Captured the Violation
One of the ways to know if you will get a ticket for passing a school bus is if the school bus camera captured or recorded you passing the bus. However, for the bus to be able to record the violation, it has to be equipped with a camera.
In many jurisdictions, school buses are equipped with cameras to capture footage of vehicles that violate the stop-arm laws.
These cameras can provide clear evidence of the offense, making it easier for law enforcement to issue tickets to offenders.
Therefore, if you pass a school bus illegally and there is photographic or video evidence of the violation, you can expect to receive a ticket.
2. If the Bus Driver Report the Violation
Another way to know if you will get a ticket for passing a school bus is if the school bus driver report the violation to the appropriate authorities.
The school bus driver has to report the violation before a ticket can be processed and sent to your mail.
However, if the bus driver fails to report the violation, it could impact your likelihood of receiving a ticket because without the bus driver’s report or any other form of evidence such as camera footage, it will become more challenging for law enforcement to identify and apprehend you.
In such cases, unless a police officer directly witnesses the violation, it may be difficult to issue a citation, but that does not necessarily mean that the offense will go unnoticed or unpunished because heaven and earth may work against you.
For example, without the bus driver’s report, if there were other witnesses to the incident, such as passengers on the bus or nearby motorists, their testimony could still be used to corroborate the offense.
Law enforcement may interview these witnesses to gather information and build a case against you for passing the school bus illegally.
Moreover, school bus drivers always report school bus violations. Because of the severity of the actions, they are trained to always report the incident.
That is why it’s rare to see a school bus driver who fails to report such an incident unless there’s no video recordings or photographic evidence to back up his claims.
3. If a Police Officer Pulled You Over
If you were unfortunate enough to pass a school bus in the presence of a police officer or if there were police officers using the road when you made the violation, that’s enough evidence for you to know that you’re getting a ticket for passing a school bus illegally.
When a school bus stops and activates its flashing red lights and extended stop arm, all vehicles in both directions of travel must come to a complete stop to ensure the safety of children boarding or disembarking from the bus.
If you decide to do otherwise, and a police officer pulls you over, even if there is no video evidence, the testimony of a law enforcement officer can be sufficient grounds for a ticket.
Therefore, if you pass a school bus illegally and a police officer observes the violation, you are likely to receive a citation/ticket.
As a matter of fact, if you’re pulled over by a police officer, you’re going to get the ticket on the spot. The ticket will be issued to you immediately and you won’t have to wait for days to get it in your mail.
4. If Someone Recorded the Violation
When it comes to traffic violations like passing a stopped school bus, witnesses can play a role in reporting the incident to law enforcement.
He or she may record the violation and report it to the bus driver or other authorities. They may also note down your license plate number, vehicle description, and other important details to provide to law enforcement.
Therefore, if you accidentally pass a stopped school and someone records the violation, it should tell you that in the next 14 – 30 days, you might be getting a ticket in the mail for passing the bus illegally.
5. If the Severity of the Offense is Too Obvious
The severity of the offense can influence whether you receive a ticket for passing a school bus. For example, if you pass a school bus illegally and narrowly avoid a collision or endanger the safety of school children, the consequences are likely to be more severe.
In such cases, you may face not only a ticket but also additional penalties such as license suspension or mandatory attendance at traffic safety courses.
On the other hand, if you pass a school bus illegally but there is no immediate danger posed, the penalties may be less severe. So, the severity of the offense has a role to play.
You can’t pass a school bus illegally and narrowly avoid a crash and expect the school bus driver or other road users not to report the incident to the appropriate authorities. That’s not possible. They will, and that alone should tell you that your ticket is coming.
These are how to know if you will get a ticket for passing a school bus. However, when you receive a ticket for passing a school bus:
- Read the ticket thoroughly to understand the charges and consequences.
- Consider your options by paying the fine, contesting the ticket, or seeking alternatives like traffic school.
- Gather evidence if you believe the ticket was issued unfairly.
- Seek legal advice from lawyers if needed to understand your options.
- Respond within the specified timeframe to avoid further penalties.
- Attend court if necessary and present your case professionally.
- Follow any court orders promptly.
- Use the experience to improve your driving behavior and stay informed about traffic laws.
Conclusion
You’ll know if you will get a ticket for passing a school bus illegally if the school bus camera captures the violation and the school bus driver reports the violation to the appropriate authorities, they will process the ticket and send it to your mail within 14 to 30 days the incident occurred.
Also, if a police officer witnessed the violation or someone reported the incident to the authorities, a ticket will be processed and sent to your mail. The same goes for the severity of the incident.
However, regardless of whether you receive a ticket, the most important thing to remember is the safety of children. Passing a school bus illegally is not only a traffic violation but also a life-threatening action that should be avoided at all costs.
So, the next time you see a school bus with its stop arm extended and lights flashing, remember to stop and prioritize the safety of our most vulnerable road users (school children).
