Area schools are back in session this week and the Tennessee Highway Patrol wants to make drivers aware of the rules and penalties for improperly passing a school bus.

Under state law, the driver of a vehicle, upon meeting or overtaking a school bus that is stopped to load or unload students, must stop before reaching the school bus. The driver cannot proceed until the school bus resumes motion or is signaled by the bus driver to proceed or if the visual signals are no longer engaged.

Failure to stop for a school bus is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less than $250 nor more than $1,000.

Tennessee Laws for Motorist and School Buses:

When the red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, this indicates that the bus has stopped and that children are now getting on or off the bus. Motorists must stop their cars and wait until the red flashing lights are turned off, the stop arm is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving before they start driving again. When a school bus is stopped at an intersection to load and unload children, drivers from all directions are required to stop until the bus resumes motion. When driving on a highway with separate roadways for traffic in opposite directions, divided by a median space or a barrier not suitable for vehicular traffic, the driver need not stop, but should proceed with caution.

Source:

Partner Station WMSR