From Rep. Sharon Steckman –
As kids are starting back to school, there is more school bus activity on our roads and streets. It’s been over a year that seven-year-old Kayden Halverson was struck by a pickup while trying to cross the road to board her school bus. In response, the Legislature increased penalties for drivers who pass a stopped school bus beginning this school year.
Besides increased monetary penalties, Iowa law also requires license suspension for drivers who pass a stopped school bus. The information below lists the penalties associated with the offenses:
– For the first offense, the driver is guilty of a simple misdemeanor, which is punishable by a fine of at least $250 but not more than $675, or not more than 30 days in jail, or both. In addition, the Department of Transportation will impose a 30-day license suspension.
– For the second and subsequent offense, the person is guilty of a serious misdemeanor, which is punishable by a fine of at least $315 but not more than $1,875, and up to one year in jail. In addition, the Department of Transportation will impose a 90-day license suspension for the second offense and a 180-day license suspension for subsequent offenses.
– If a person passes the stopped school bus and it results in a serious injury, than the person may be subject to additional penalties of an additional fine of $500 or suspension of their license of not more than 90 days, or both. If a person passes the stop arm on a school bus and it results in a death, the person may be subject to additional penalties of an additional fine of $1,000 or suspension of their license for up to 180 days, or both.
well yeah, and the blinking yellow means the bus is about to stop. It’s not a challenge to hurry up like an intersection signal.