School safety driving tips

    Fall is upon us and the local school districts are back into full swing for the year. With the beginning of another school year the streets and parking lots surrounding area schools are once again becoming congested and cluttered with activity. Children are unpredictable and one never knows what they will do in any given situation.  There are a few safety tips that we urge motorists to use while operating motor vehicles in and around schools and playgrounds during the upcoming year to ensure the children’s safety.
    Some general rules of the road are to slow down during daytime hours whenever approaching school zone areas. School zones are usually posted with flashing speed signs and the speed limit is 15 miles per hour during these times. If you are caught for speeding during the time that the speed sign is flashing the fine amount is much higher than that of a normal speeding fine.
    Be aware of school buses, as they will be making frequent stops to pick up and let children off. Whenever following a school bus expect these stops and keep a safe distance away. When the red lights are flashing you are not allowed to pass the school bus under any circumstance unless directed to do so by the driver. If the driver motions you to pass be sure to drive slow and be aware of any children that may be around. This law applies to the four lane roads as well as parking lots and pertains to both motor vehicle operators as well as bicyclists. The law has been revised so that bus drivers only need to record a plate number of the vehicle involved to prosecute rather than identifying the actual operator. The penalty for passing a stopped school bus can be a license suspension, fine or both.
    Please keep in mind that there may be children crossing near school zones without any supervision or assistance from a crossing guard so expect the unexpected, drive defensively and give the children the right of way to allow safe passage.
    Many parents choose to drop their children off at school rather than having them ride a school bus. When parents are dropping off and picking up children at area schools please obey the “No Parking” signs that are posted near every school. In most cases only one side of the street is posted. These signs are here to allow the free flow of traffic as well as to protect the children. With both sides of the street lined with vehicles, the operator’s view is obstructed as well as the entire street is blocked. This increases the odds of a child getting hurt or causing a motor vehicle collision.
    The following is a list of traffic offenses and penalties in regards to the operation of motor vehicles in the vicinity of local schools:
• Speeding in a school zone 1-9 mph over $228 fine; 10-14 mph over $264; 15-19 mph over $360; 20-24 mph over $420; and 25-29 mph over $516 fine.
• Registered owner passing a stopped school bus $311 fine.
• Failing to yield to pedestrian in crosswalk $165 fine.
• Failure to maintain control of a motor vehicle (new distracted driver law) $119 fine;
• Operator passing a stopped school bus is a criminal offense.
• Speeding in a school zone over 30 miles per hour the limit is a criminal offense.
    As far as pedestrian safety throughout the city, if you are approaching any marked crosswalk within the city please be sure to stop and let the pedestrians cross the road safely. The department investigated two personal injury collisions this summer involving pedestrians in marked crosswalks so please pay attention to pedestrian traffic while operating a motor vehicle. Pedestrians please look both ways when crossing the street, you do have “the right of way” in a “marked crossing”, but you could save your own life or injury by looking both ways.
    Members of the Presque Isle Police Department are looking for voluntary compliance from motorists so let’s all drive responsibly and have a safe and accident free year!
    Joey Seeley is a sergeant with the Presque Isle Police Department. He can be reached at 764-4476 or via e-mail at jds304pipd@hotmail.com