PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Public schools start Tuesday, and that means more traffic on the roads — including lots of school buses.
Police warn drivers to put down your cell phones, your breakfast, or your makeup, and focus on the roads. Officers will be out in school zones looking for speeders.
If you see a school bus with yellow or red lights flashing and the stop arm is extended, you must stop no matter what side of the road you are on.
The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children, so stop far enough back to allow them space to safely enter and exit the bus.
You should also be on alert as children often are unpredictable. They tend to ignore hazards and take risk, for instance, running out in front of cars.
Drivers should never pass a school bus when it’s stopped to pick up or drop off students. It’s against the law.
Speeding in a school zone is also against the law, of course. Look out for the flashing lights and posted speed limits. Going just five miles over the speed limit could cost you close to $100.
