The Town of Vernon’s School Bus Safety program moved into a new phase this week. As of Monday, motorists who illegally pass Vernon school buses while the red lights are flashing and the stop arm extended face a $250 civil fine.
From Aug. 27 through Sept. 25, the BusPatrol cameras affixed to school buses recorded 362 motorists illegally passing school buses. Vernon police reviewed and validated each violation. Violators received warning letters in the mail.
“Our goal has always been and always will be to keep our school children safe, not to assess fines,” Vernon Mayor Dan Champagne said. “When you see a school bus with its red lights flashing picking up or dropping off children, you need to stop.”
BusPatrol mounted five cameras on all 37 school buses operated by Vernon’s transportation contractor, First Student. The cameras catch violators and Vernon police review each incident to determine whether a citation is appropriate.
Connecticut law requires motorists to stop for a school bus when its red warning lights are flashing. Drivers must stop at least 10 feet from the front or rear of a school bus that is displaying its flashing red signal lights and remain there until the bus no longer displays the lights.
“State law and our town ordinance are clear. Whenever a school has its red lights flashing and/or stop sign extended, all vehicles travelling in both directions on that road must stop,” Vernon Police Chief Marc Petruzzi said. “Doing so is critical for the safety of all kids on that bus. It doesn’t matter if its two lanes or four lanes on that roadway.”
Under town ordinance, illegally passing a stopped school bus carries a $250 fine for a first offense with no license points.
If a police officer spots a motorist illegally passing a school bus, the fine is $450 and four points assessed against a driver’s license. The fine increases for subsequent violations. Effective Oct. 1, anyone who illegally passes a school bus three or more times could face driver’s license suspension.
For more information about Vernon’s school bus safety program, visit: