By Alyssa Schnugg
Staff writer
alyssa.schnugg@hottytoddy.com
With school back in session for Oxford and Lafayette County students, local and state police are asking drivers to adhere to Mississippi laws in regards to passing school buses in an effort to keep all children safe while getting on and off the bus.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol in conjunction with the Mississippi Department of Education is initiating the annual “Operation Stop” (Safe Transport of Passengers) safety campaign.
Enforcement efforts will focus on school bus loading/unloading zones as well as school zones.
“We are asking for good decisions from the motoring public regarding distracted driving and speeding issues when coming in contact with school buses and driving through school zones,” said MHP Captain Johnny Poulos, director of public relations. “The safety of our students is a top priority and with help from the public we can ensure a safe year for all.”
Motorists should also stop at least 10 feet in front of and behind a stopped school bus while it is loading and unloading students and the flashing red lights and stop sign arm are engaged. Once the flashing red lights are no longer active and the hand-operated stop sign is retracted, cars are free to move again.
When traveling on a divided four-lane road, whether there is a median or not, vehicles do not have to stop if the bus is on the opposite side of the highway and the bus is stopped in a loading zone that is part of, or adjacent to the highway, and where students are not permitted to cross the roadway.
The 2009 Nathan’s Law, named for a 5-year-old Jones County boy who was killed by a driver passing a stopped school bus, increased the severity of the penalty for anyone who passes a stopped school bus in Mississippi and if someone is injured or killed, the driver will be charged with a felony.
The first offense is a misdemeanor charge and can result in a fine from $350 to $750, or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both. For a second or subsequent offense within five years of the first offense can levy a fine from $750 to $1,500, or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.
In addition, after conviction for a second or subsequent offense, the driver’s license will be suspended for 90 days.
