Passing school buses can be costly error

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

School began this week. That means motorists who don’t want an up-close look at officer Mark Mara, or other McMinnville police officers, are advised to observe posted speed limits when driving through school zones. (James Clark photo)

Passing a school bus unloading children is tantamount to getting caught racing 100 mph down the bypass under the eyes of the law, according to police officers who are reminding motorists to use care around school buses now that school is in session.

“If you get caught passing a school bus then you’re halfway to losing your license,” said McMinnville Police Capt. Bryan Denton, who is also an instructor for the city’s safe driving school. “It will cost a motorist 6 points on their license and you only get 12 a year. It’s the same number of points you lose if you get caught going 100 mph in a 55 mph zone so you can see the law takes bus safety very seriously.”

The law requires motorists come to a complete stop any time a bus deploys it stop signal to load or unload children. Motorists in both directions are required to stop, and the law also includes people traveling the opposite direction on four-lane highways like Manchester Highway.

“Unless there’s a grassy or concrete median separating the directions of traffic, you must stop,” said Tennessee Highway Patrol Sgt. Jeff Mosley, who said motorists are sometimes confused about what to do on the four-lane highways. “The turn lane out on 55 doesn’t constitute a divided highway so motorists must stop, even if they are in the far lane.”

Along with license points, passing any of the school system’s 55 buses in the city will cost a motorist $132, while passing one outside the city limits will cost $250 plus court costs. The law also includes properly marked church buses.

Costly mistake
Passing a school bus where children are loading or unloading will cost a motorist 6 points on their driver’s license and a $132 fine in the city or a $250 fine outside city limits.