KIMBERLY, Idaho — It’s one of the first things you learn when studying for your driver’s license. The question comes up every time you renew your license, and for some reason, some people still don’t know that it’s illegal to pass a school bus when its lights are flashing red and the stop sign is on.
This year, the Idaho state legislature increased penalties for violating the law, and the Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office is catching violators thanks to cameras on buses.
- This year, state lawmakers increased penalties for passing school buses with the stop bar activated, with drivers now facing a $300 fine and four points on their traffic record.
- If you get 12 points on your driving licence within a year, your driving licence will be revoked.
Below you will find the script from the show
“This is a common occurrence throughout Twin Falls County and the state,” Sergeant Ken Mencl told me. “School bus stops are monitored daily.”
Sergeant Mencl of the Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office wants children to get to school safely.
In fact, this is part of his job as head of the district’s school administration.
“I can tell you that in the last couple of years alone, I’ve probably issued 100 tickets to people violating that stop arm,” Mencl said.
Idaho law requires drivers to stop for school buses when the lights are flashing yellow or red and when the stop sign is extended on the side.
But for some reason, not everyone follows it.
That’s why the sheriff’s office is increasing its patrols.
“We will make sure that people stop both in the morning and in the afternoon when school buses are letting children on and off, and that they make sure that they stop so that children can get on and off the bus safely.”
This year, the state legislature increased the penalties for passing school buses with the stop bar activated, costing drivers a $300 ticket and four points on their traffic record.
Remember: If you receive 12 points in Flensburg within a year, your driving license will be revoked.
And remember, many of these checkpoints are equipped with cameras, so even if you don’t see a police officer, they can see you.
“The warehouse camera technology is phenomenal. Even at night, when it’s dark outside, the night cameras that the companies put on the sides of the buses capture these license plates phenomenally well,” Mencl said.
The Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office also focuses on speed enforcement in school zones. Driving just one mile over the limit can get you a $156 fine.
With the harvest season, there are also more agricultural vehicles on the roads. Sergeant Mencl therefore advises taking more time to drive to your destination and avoiding distractions.
“Be extra careful because we have a lot of slow-moving equipment out there, a lot of farm machinery and trucks,” Mencl said. “And then you add to that the mess with the big yellow buses, and that can make for a terrible commute.”
