Ok. So i KNOW you are supposed to stop. And I always do, but this morning it was POURING and it was really early so it was dark and everything, and on the opposite side there was a big vehice with flashing lights. And I couldn't really see it, like I sisn't see the stop hand or anything, so I just kept going. I was assuming it was a garbage truck or something, and then they honked at me, and I realized CRAP its a school bus! So I don't know if they were able to see my plates or not, but if they did, what is the worst that can happen to me? Will my license be taken away? Will I go to jail? I am so freaked out! I live in Idaho by the way.
Thanks
2007-10-01 07:10:13 · 35 answers · asked by JLee 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
passing a school bus is a no-no if the reds are flashing. u mean to tell me u pay that little attention when on the road? i think u need extra driver training. in a hard rain, ur supposed to slow down, especially in bad visibility conditions. if u hurt a kid because u cant slow down and pay attention, i guarentee they will basically crucify u.
basic rules to a school bus. pay attention. if going the same direction as the bus on either a 2 lane road, ALL traffic has to stop. if on a dual lane each direction, only the lanes that is going in the same direction as the bus has to stop.
2007-10-01 11:27:23 · answer #1 · answered by forktail_devil 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thank your lucky stars you didn't hit anyone. If you always stop then why did you not know it was a school bus? Five days a week (give or take-well just take) it will be in the same spot at roughly that same time. If you weren't sure what it was you should have slowed down so you could tell what it was. It you couldn't stop after you identified it as a school bus you were driving too fast. Too fast in pouring rain with poor visibility. I'm surprised more people here are not reading you the riot act. You seem more concerened about getting caught then the obvious, you could have killed some poor kids. At least the bus driver was paying attention and chances are did not let anyone off the bus til the responsible drivers had stopped.
2007-10-02 06:02:32 · answer #2 · answered by hoppykit 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lot of bus company's are installing cameras on buses to capture events like what happened to you. Now it was a dark and stormy morning so they might not have gotten your plate. If you are caught. No jail. Big fine. And your insurance company will find out. Also see if other buses in that district have a strobe on top of them. In some states that's a law. If it wasn't on then the garbage truck story might fly.
2007-10-03 13:04:33 · answer #3 · answered by 935 Danny 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I did the same thing and the bus driver got my license plate. I had a ticket sent to my house for $240 in Wisconsin. I paid it, got some points added to my record, and moved on. It's a traffic violation, not a felony. If you ran over one of the kids and you very under the influence of alcohol, that would be a felony, but don't worry... You're not going to jail and you're not going to get your license suspended... Just be careful next time.
2007-10-01 07:15:16 · answer #4 · answered by Ilya S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the flashing lights you admit seeing were RED, that would be a big, obvious clue that you should be watching out for something that could be a danger to you or someone else.
So, an excuse like "I didn't see it in time." would not wash. And, if you did hit a kid crossing the street, NO excuse would keep you out of trouble.
I used to drive a school bus, and I saw, first hand, the risks that inattentive drivers posed for children.
It shouldn't be, "CRAP its a school bus." It should be, "CRAP, I should have been paying attention. I could have killed a kid!"
2007-10-01 10:53:33 · answer #5 · answered by Vince M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think they will do anything, the honk is just a warning.
Next time, no matter how dark it is (the school bus had lights anyways), and if the school bus is stopped... you surely need to stop.
You could have passed it and hit a child, then the punishment will be very harsh. Go slower, and stop for ALL school buses when they are stopped.
2007-10-01 07:19:39 · answer #6 · answered by Skyleigh's Mom :)™ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Calm down, its not that big of a deal. Mistakes happen, and even though the bus driver may have been a little upset I'm sure they wouldn't spend the time to write down your license plate. I don't think you should be driving if you can't even see a SCHOOL BUS!!! If you can't even tell if it is a school bus why are you driving?
2007-10-01 07:14:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
At the best, it will just go away.. At worst, and let me say this I'm guessing, the following will happen:
1. The Bus driver took down your license.
2. Bus Driver reported you to her superior who in term called the police
3. You will get a visit from your local police.
Let's start off with this:
1. Passing the School bus
2. Not driving according to conditions
3. Careless and Imprudent Driving
Could your license be taken away? Yes. Will it? depends on what happens?
go to jail? I doubt it.
You need to breath right now and just go with the flow. I'd really keep my head on a swivel from now on.
2007-10-01 07:20:56 · answer #8 · answered by Mr. Cellophane 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Unless there was a police car right there that witnessed it, nothing can happen. The bus driver can report you if by some miracle she got your plate but there is nothing the cops can do except take a report.
Relax and thank God you didn't hit any kids.
2007-10-01 07:14:21 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
dont freak out. I live in Idaho too. Unless there is a peace officer who witnessed this, it comes down to your word against whonever wrote down your license plate number. There is no grounds for a ticket. Just be more careful next time.
2007-10-01 07:14:13 · answer #10 · answered by The One 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋