Peabody Police Alert: School Buses Back Next Week

Peabody MA

26 August, 2021

12:16 PM

Description

PEABODY, MA — After school bus sightings became more random than routine in Peabody over the past 18 months of the coronavirus crisis, Peabody police are reminding residents and commuters through the city to keep an eye out for them and follow all laws pertaining to buses as school returns to a more normal schedule this fall. "Please allow for extra commute time on Monday as students in Peabody return to school," police said. "It is illegal in all 50 states to pass a bus that is stopped to load or unload children. "Slow down, pay attention and be alert — especially before and after school." During a six-month period from August 2018 to March 2019, 12 children were killed and another 47 were injured while getting on and off school buses nationwide. Bus stop-arms were extended at the time, which means motorists were required to come to a full stop. There are some differences in laws from state to state. The law in Massachusetts requires stopping for a bus that has flashing lights and an extended stop sign, whether you are driving from behind or toward the bus. You can only resume driving when the lights stop flashing or the sign folds back in. The same rules apply to pupil transport vehicles, like vans, station wagons, or family sedans, that have flashing red lights and "SCHOOL BUS" signs on top. Failing to stop or illegally passing a stopped school bus with flashing lights can result in a $250 fine in Massachusetts, at minimum. A second offense by a fine of not less than $500. That fine can go up to $2,000 and one can get a suspended license for up to a year for subsequent offenses (MGL 90-14). Did you find this article useful? Invite a friend to subscribe to Patch. (Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at [email protected]. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)