Recently, Georgia has been attempting to decrease the number of drivers who pass school buses while they are loading and unloading school children. In order to deter this traffic violation, Georgia lawmakers have increasing the penalties that apply to drivers who pass a parked school bus.
It is illegal to pass a stopped school bus while it is loading and unloading children until the bus either begins moving again or the flashing lights are no longer blinking. Until either of those things has happened, moving past the bus is a serious offence.
Consequences for Passing a School Bus:
- Criminal charges and a mandatory court appearance
- Monetary fines ranging from $300 to $1,000
- Imposition of 6 points on drivers license
- Court-ordered community service
- Compulsory defensive driving classes
- Court-ordered probation
- Increased insurance rates
A court cannot choose to prosecute you for both civil and criminal charges. They have to pick one in which to charge you for the offense.
It’s worth noting that the Georgia Department of Public Safety now encourages school bus drivers to report Improper Passing of School Bus violations to the local law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction where the alleged offense occurred.
If you or somebody you know has been charged with passing a school bus in Fulton County, DeKalb County, Cobb County, or any other community in the Alpharetta area, you should contact Scott Miller to help you with your defense. An experienced traffic violation lawyer in Fulton County can help you get the best possible outcome in your bus passing case.
Do not let yourself be the person the courts make an example of. Call the Law Office of Scott Miller today at 770-408-1001. Hiring an experienced attorney could be the difference between a guilty or not guilty outcome in your case.
