Beverly Police Alert: School's Back So Slow It Down

Beverly MA

30 August, 2021

10:18 AM

Description

BEVERLY, MA — After school bus sightings became more sporadic than routine in Beverly over the past 18 months of the coronavirus crisis, police are now reminding residents and drivers commuting through the city to keep an eye out for the buses and follow all laws pertaining to them as school resumes a more normal schedule this fall. "With the return of teachers and the majority of students returning this week, motorists are advised to use extra caution as there will be heavier pedestrian, cyclist and vehicle traffic in and around the schools during morning drop off and afternoon pick up times," police said. "Allow extra time for expected delays. Please put the cell phones down and pay attention. "Beverly police officers will be out and about both assisting with school traffic and enforcing various laws with added emphasis on school traffic safety — school zone 20 MPH speed limit, pedestrian crosswalks, and stopping for school buses with lights and signs activated." 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.)