Franklin state police said they have received complaints about drivers in violation of school bus laws, prompting police to remind drivers to be more cognizant of stopped school buses.
Michelle McGee, the Franklin state police community service officer, said bus drivers have observed and called in a few violations within recent weeks and months, which makes it a “good time to remind drivers to be aware.”
As to whether the lack of caution among drivers as they approach school buses has been worse this year in comparison with other years, McGee said it isn’t a “comparative” or “numerical” matter.
When motorists see yellow lights flashing, “they tend to speed up instead of slowing down” so they can avoid stopping, McGee said.
A state police news release urges drivers to “obey posted speed limits within the marked school zones and slow down when traveling near bus stops as pedestrian traffic will be at higher volumes.”
The release tells drivers to make the safety of area students a priority, “by allowing extra time for your morning commute and exercising extreme caution.”
The release said a fine of $250, a 60-day license suspension and five points against the driver’s record all are results of violating school bus laws.
