On Monday, students in the Harlingen school district begin the 2019-20 school year. Neighboring school districts in the Rio Grande Valley start within the next few weeks as well. While most know that speeding and using a cell phone in a school zone could result in a traffic ticket, many are not as familiar with the rules regarding passing a stopped school bus in Texas.

The Offense

When a school bus is stopped with flashing lights or an extended stop sign to load or unload students on the roadway, drivers approaching from either direction must come to a complete stop before reaching the school bus. These drivers may not pass the school bus until the bus resumes motion, the bus driver signals the other drivers to move, or the bus turns off its flashing lights.

There is an exception to this rule: If the roadway is divided by a median or other physical barrier, drivers on the other side of the roadway are not required to stop. However, a left-turn lane is not considered a median, so drivers must stop for buses that are loading or unloading students on the other side of a center-turning lane.

Possible Punishment

If child safety alone does not deter would-be offenders, note that Texas takes violations of this law seriously. A ticket for passing a stopped bus could cost anywhere between $500.00 to $1,250.00. However, the penalty and severity of the charge could increase if the offender has previously been convicted of this offense or if the offender causes serious bodily injury while passing a stopped bus.

I would like to wish good luck to all students throughout the Rio Grande Valley about to begin their school year. For everyone else, please be safe and attentive while driving near school zones and buses. 

-RDJ