THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, February 11, 1997 TAG: 9702110217
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY NANCY YOUNG, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: 90 lines
One day last month, a quick study revealed at least 38 instances of motorists driving by stopped school buses unloading young passengers.
If that happens Wednesday, there might well be 38 unhappy motorists paying steep fines for reckless driving - maybe even doing a little jail time.
``All it takes is one (child) to step out in front of them,'' said police Lt. Ron Schaefer, who is section commander of the Traffic Enforcement division. While there haven't been any accidents yet,'' he said, ``It's just a matter of time.''
In an effort to make sure that time never comes, starting Wednesday, the police department is going to assign an officer to ride a school bus.
If the officer sees any motorists pass by when the bus is stopped, that motorist will have more than an angry bus driver to contend with.
Passing a stopped school bus from which children are entering or leaving is a Class 1 misdemeanor. A conviction can mean just under a year of jail time and a fine of up to $2,500.
Despite the stiff consequences, there are plenty of drivers who decide it's worth the risk to get where they're going a few seconds sooner.
``Buses will be stopped with the red stop flag and the red lights flashing and people are still passing them,'' said Tom Cupitt, the school district's ombudsman.
Sgt. Richard Johnson of the department's Traffic Enforcement division said the study in Chesapeake last month that showed 38 violations in one day was part of a region-wide effort to assess the problem.
In addition to posting an officer on a random bus to observe violations, police will station unmarked cars close enough to the bus to apprehend offending motorists. Those police cars will be equipped with radar to identify motorists who are speeding in the area.
Schaefer said the most chronic problems have been found on Centerville Turnpike and the area of Battlefield Boulevard between Oak Grove Road and Cedar Road.
The main offenders, said Schaefer, seemed to include two groups. In the morning, the problems were most likely caused by people in a hurry to get to work.
In the afternoon, bus drivers have observed groups of what presumably are high school students who have just been dismissed for the day.
``They're just trying to get in front of the bus,'' said Schaefer.
Whether it's high school students or business people, the action - and its consequences are the same.
The effort will begin on one of the buses with routes on Centerville Turnpike - but motorists in other parts of the city shouldn't feel that they're off the hook.
``After that, who knows where it will be?'' said Johnson. ILLUSTRATION: THE LAW
Passing a stopped school bus is punishable by not more than a year
in prison and/or not more than a $2,500 fine.
Here's the law.
A person shall be guilty of reckless driving who fails to stop, when
approaching from any direction, any school bus which is stopped on
any highway or school driveway for the purpose of taking on or
discharging children, the elderly or mentally or physically
handicapped persons, and to remain stopped until all such persons
are clear of the highway or school driveway and the bus is put in
motion.
Exceptions to the rule:
If the bus is stopped on a divided highway or access road where a
median, a physical barrier or unpaved area separates the vehicle
from the bus.
If a bus is stopped at an intersection where a uniformed police
officer or crossing guard directs the driver to proceed.
KEYWORDS: SCHOOL BUS RECKLESS DRIVING TRAFFIC VIOLATION