Passing a stopped school bus is an extremely serious offense that is difficulty to negotiate based on the sympathy that the court system has for protecting children. Unlike many other charges, one cannot get a prayer for judgment on a passing a stopped school bus charge. A conviction for passing a stopped school bus or failing to remain stopped for a school bus are class 1 misdemeanors and carry four (4) insurance points, five (5) license points and a hefty fine. The following breaks down the different offenses involving passing a school bus and the consequences of a conviction. You can also contact us raleigh traffic ticket lawyer for further guidance

N.C.G.S. 20-217 – PASSING A STOPPED SCHOOL BUS

Elements: A person is guilty of this offense if he or she:

• Drives
• A Vehicle (any vehicle)
• Approaches from any direction on a street or highway
• A school bus (with words plainly visible on the front and back)
• Displaying its mechanical stop signal or flashing red lights
• Is stopped of the purpose of discharging or receiving passengers
• Passes or attempts to pass the school bus
• Before the bus turns of its mechanical stop sign, its red lights and has started to move.

The only exception is if you are approaching a bus from the opposite direction when there are four lanes and a center lane or center barrier you do not have to stop for the school bus.

N.C.G.S. 20-217 (e) – FAILURE TO REMAIN STOPPED FOR A SCHOOL BUS

Elements: A person is guilty of this offense if he or she:

• Drives
• A Vehicle (any vehicle)
• Approaches from any direction on a street or highway
• A school bus (with words plainly visible on the front and back)
• Displaying its mechanical stop signal or flashing red lights
• Is stopped of the purpose of discharging or receiving passengers
• Fails to remain stopped or fails to bring the vehicle to a full stop.
• Before the bus turns of its mechanical stop sign, its red lights and has started to move.

If you are charged with either of these offenses then we may be able to help. Please call us at 919-729-9000 to discuss your possible defenses to this charge and one of our raleigh traffic ticket lawyer will get back to you.