BRIDGEPORT ISD

MOTORIST SAFETY TIPS

Watching for Children

Our children are precious, and their safety is very important. One of the most dangerous situations they face during their day is getting on and off their school bus. They do not always follow rules. We have to make sure we know and follow the rules, to keep them safe.

Learn the "flashing signal light system" that school bus drivers use to alert motorist of pending actions.

• Yellow Flashing Lights:  indicate that the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop their vehicle.
• Red Flashing Lights And Extended Stop Arms: Indicates that the bus has stopped, and that children are getting off on or off . Motorist must stop their cars and wait until the red lights stop flashing , and the extended stop arm sign is withdrawn, before they can start driving again.
• Citations and Fines: If a motorist runs the red lights of a school bus and a City of Bridgeport Police Officer issues a citation for failure to stop and remain stopped for a school bus, (when red flashing lights are activated) the fine is minimum $1000.00 and no more than $2000.00.
• This is considered a serious moving violation.

Consequences:

• You will not be able to take a defensive driving course nor could the ticket be deferred.
• This violation will go onto your driving record.
• Not only will this be on your record,but it can affect your insurance rates.
• It also adds points to your license.
• If you receive so many points in a certain time frame, the State can impose a surcharge fee.

When A School Bus  Loads or Unloads Students On Roadways

• Individual Roads And Highways: On individual roads and highways (those without medians or barriers in the middle), the general rule is that if you are approaching a school bus that has stopped(red flashing lights on) in the road, STOP! NO matter which direction you are approaching from. It does not matter how many lanes the road has.
• A turning lane is not a median or barrier and you still must stop
• Divided Roads And Highways: The general rule for divided roads is slightly different. Remember, a turning lane does not make the road a divided road. A divided road is one that has a barrier or median.
• On a divided road or highway, only traffic going in the same direction as as the bus are required to stop.

School Buses At Railroad Tracks

School buses stop for all railroad crossings!

*A school bus operator is required by law to stop at all railroad crossings, even if no trains are seen.
*The driver is required to look in both directions as well as to listen for a train before proceeding through the crossing.
* If you are behind a school bus and you are approaching a railroad crossing, be prepared to stop when the school bus stops.