Passing a school bus illegally is not only a violation of traffic laws but also a dangerous act that puts the lives of school children at risk. It is a violation that is not taken for granted. It doesn’t matter whether you passed the school bus by mistake or not.
Once there is evidence of you passing a school bus and the bus driver reports the violation to the appropriate authority, you will get a ticket. So, how long does it take to get a ticket for passing a school bus?
It takes between 14 to 30 days to get a ticket for passing a school bus. Once the bus driver reports the violation to the authorities, they will process the ticket and send it to your mail between 14 – 30 days after the violation occurred. However, if you were pulled over on the spot by the police, the ticket will be issued to you immediately.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Ticket for Passing a School Bus?
Once you pass a school bus when you’re not supposed to, the bus driver will report the incident to the appropriate authorities responsible for processing the ticket. The ticket will be processed and sent to your email within 14 – 30 days after the violation occurred.
However, the timeframe depends on various factors but it takes time for the bus driver to report the incident. It also takes time for the ticket to be processed before it can be mailed to you.
School buses are equipped with cameras that capture footage of vehicles passing them illegally. These cameras can provide clear evidence of the violation, enabling law enforcement to issue tickets immediately.
However, not all school buses are equipped with such technology, which can affect the speed at which tickets are issued.
Moreover, even with the video recordings from the bus camera, the bus driver needs to report the incident before they can start processing the ticket.
Also, if there is a presence of a police officer when the violation occurs, they can pull you over and issue a ticket on the spot. This is the quickest way to know your fate. At least, it fastens the speed at which the ticket is processed.
In situations where there are no immediate witnesses or clear video evidence, law enforcement may need to investigate to gather information about the violation.
This process can involve reviewing traffic camera footage, interviewing witnesses, and analyzing other available evidence. As a result, the timeline for issuing a ticket may be extended as law enforcement officers work to build a case against the offender.
Once a ticket for passing a bus has been issued, the next step is to notify the offender and deliver the ticket. This can be done through various means, such as mail or in-person delivery by law enforcement officers.
Therefore, the efficiency of the postal service or the availability of law enforcement personnel to serve the ticket in person is the major force that drives how long it takes to get a ticket for passing a school bus.
What To Do When You Recieve the Ticket
Here’s what to do when you receive the ticket:
- Read the Ticket Carefully: Once the ticket finally arrives in your mail, carefully read through all the information provided, including the date, time, location of the violation, and the specific violation you are being charged with.
- Understand the Charges: Make sure you understand the charges against you. In this case, it would involve illegally passing a stopped school bus while its red lights are flashing and its stop sign arm is extended.
- Know Your Options: Depending on the jurisdiction and the severity of the offense, you may have different options to handle the ticket. Common options include paying the fine, contesting the ticket in court, or attending a traffic school to mitigate the consequences.
- Contact an Attorney (If Necessary): If you’re unsure about how to proceed or if you believe you were wrongly issued the ticket, contact a traffic lawyer or attorney. They can provide legal advice and represent you in court if needed.
- Respond Within the Given Timeframe: Most tickets come with a deadline for responding, usually by either paying the fine or contesting the ticket. It’s important to respond within this timeframe to avoid additional penalties.
- Gather Evidence (If Contesting): If you decide to contest the ticket, gather any evidence that supports your case, such as witness statements, photos or videos of the incident, or any relevant documents.
- Appear in Court (If Contesting): If you choose to contest the ticket, you will likely need to appear in court on the scheduled date. Be prepared to present your case and any evidence you have gathered to support your defense.
- Consider Mitigation Options: In some jurisdictions, you may have the option to attend a traffic school or complete a driver improvement course to have the ticket dismissed or to reduce the fines and penalties associated with the offense.
- Pay the Fine (If Applicable): If you decide not to contest the ticket or if your defense is unsuccessful in court, you will need to pay the fine by the specified deadline to avoid further consequences such as license suspension or increased fines.
Finally, regardless of the outcome, use this experience as an opportunity to learn and improve your driving habits. Respect traffic laws, especially those designed to protect the safety of children, such as stopping for school buses when required.
Conclusion
While some tickets may be issued immediately based on clear evidence, others may require more time for investigation and review. Therefore, if you pass a stopped school bus, be expecting to get a ticket between 14 – 30 days after the event occurred.
