To help ensure the safety of local students, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office is closely monitoring school bus stops to ensure that drivers are stopping for school buses.
Earlier this week, MCSO deputies were stationed near school bus stops throughout the county, and they pulled over several drivers who failed to stop for a stopped school bus. According to MCSO, those drivers were each issued a $371 ticket.
The 2022-2023 school year began back in mid-August, and MCSO stated on its Facebook page that some motorists continue to be confused about when they should stop for a school bus. In an effort to clear up this confusion, MCSO shared the following image depicting when drivers must stop for a stopped school bus:
On a two-lane road, vehicles traveling in both directions are required to stop for a stopped school bus.
When traveling on a multi-lane road that is paved across, vehicles traveling in both directions must also stop for a stopped school bus.
A divided highway consists of an unpaved space (minimum of five feet), or any raised median or physical barrier. Vehicles traveling in the same direction as the school bus on a divided highway must stop, while any vehicles traveling in the opposite direction must proceed with caution.
In a social media post, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office stated that drivers must watch for school buses because “our future is riding on them.”