School Is Back. So Are the Traffic Rules Drivers Tend to Forget.

September brings crowded morning commutes, school buses back on the road, children crossing busy streets, and parents rushing through drop off and pickup.

It also brings traffic rules that drivers may not have thought about since the last school year.

A moment of impatience around a school bus, crosswalk, or school zone can result in much more than an uncomfortable encounter with a police officer. Certain violations can carry points, fines, and consequences for your driving record.

As students head back to school across New York, here are several rules every driver should have back on their radar.

A Stopped School Bus Can Stop Traffic in Both Directions

You are running late for work when the school bus ahead turns on its red lights and stops.

You see a child getting off.

The other side of the road looks completely clear.

Can you keep going?

In New York, drivers approaching a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing generally must stop whether they are approaching from the front or from behind.

This can apply even when the bus is on the opposite side of a divided highway.

Drivers should remain stopped until the bus begins moving again or the bus driver or police officer signals that it is safe to proceed.

Passing a stopped school bus is treated seriously because children may cross the road after getting on or off the bus.

Yellow Lights Mean the Bus Is About to Stop

The red lights should not be the first warning that gets your attention.

When a school bus displays flashing yellow lights, it is preparing to stop.

That is your signal to slow down and prepare to stop as well.

Trying to get around the bus before the red lights activate can create a dangerous situation, particularly when children are waiting near the roadway or preparing to cross.

A few seconds saved on the commute are not worth putting a child at risk or ending up with a serious traffic violation.

Crosswalks Deserve Extra Attention

School mornings can be unpredictable.

A child may step into a crosswalk while talking with friends. A parent may be walking several children to school. A crossing guard may enter the roadway to stop traffic.

Drivers have obligations involving pedestrians in crosswalks, and failing to yield when required can result in a traffic violation.

The safest approach near a school is to expect pedestrians before you actually see them.

Slow down, scan both sides of the street, and avoid assuming that a child sees your vehicle simply because you see them.

Do Not Follow a School Bus Too Closely

School buses make frequent stops, particularly on residential roads.

A driver who becomes impatient may begin following too closely while waiting for another opportunity to move.

That creates another potential traffic problem.

Following too closely is itself a moving violation in New York and can result in points on a driver’s record.

Leaving additional space gives you more time to react when a bus slows down, activates its lights, or stops unexpectedly.

Watch Your Speed Near Schools

Drivers should always pay attention to posted speed limits, but school areas require particular caution.

Traffic patterns can change quickly when students are arriving or leaving. Cars may stop unexpectedly. Crossing guards may enter the roadway. Children may appear from between parked vehicles.

Even when you are familiar with the road, do not rely on habit.

Pay attention to posted signs and the conditions around you.

One Ticket Can Matter More Than You Think

It is easy to view a traffic ticket as an isolated inconvenience.

But moving violations can affect your driving record, and points from different violations can accumulate.

That becomes especially important for drivers who already have points or other recent convictions.

A ticket may also carry fines, additional assessments, and possible insurance consequences depending on the violation and the driver’s history.

Simply paying a ticket generally means pleading guilty to the charge.

Before doing that, it is important to understand what the violation could mean for your record.

A Few Extra Minutes Can Prevent a Much Bigger Problem

Back to school traffic can test anyone’s patience.

You may be late for work. The bus may stop every few blocks. The crossing guard may hold traffic longer than expected.

But school traffic rules exist for a reason. Children do not always behave predictably around roads, and drivers have a responsibility to use additional care when students are nearby.

Give yourself extra time, leave more space, and pay close attention when driving around school buses and school areas.

If you do receive a traffic ticket, you do not necessarily have to simply plead guilty and accept the consequences.

At MontanaroLaw, we help New York drivers fight traffic tickets and protect their driving privileges. If you received a school bus, speeding, failure to yield, following too closely, or other moving violation, contact us today to discuss your case and learn how we may be able to help protect your license and driving record.