Chief’s Corner
By Chief Steven J. Wojnar Dudley Police Department The last year and half plus have certainly been a challenge, especially for kids attending school. Even though we are not completely back to “normal,” the start of the “in-person” school year is upon us. With classes back in session, this is a good opportunity to remind everyone of the laws surrounding school busses. Buses transport hundreds of children each day. Safety is a great concern while they are engaged in their business. The law covering school bus violations is contained in Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90 Section 14. Drivers are required to come to a full stop when these vehicles have red lights flashing and children are entering or exiting the bus. A first offense penalty for a violation carries a $250 fine. Subsequent offenses can range from $500 to $2,000 and can also include a license suspension for a minimum of 6 months. Drivers must also keep their vehicles at least 100 feet behind a school bus. Buses are required to have the words “keep back 100 feet” prominently displayed on the rear of the bus. It is important to note, there are many other vehicles used to transport school children that qualify as school buses. These are outside the normal “large yellow bus.” Passenger cars and vans are used quite often to transport students, particularly those who are disabled or with special needs. The Dudley Charlton Regional School District will have a number of these vehicles out transporting children in our area. Due to the less obvious appearance of these vehicles, many drivers fail to stop when required. The same bus rules apply to these vehicles. Please pay extra attention and be aware of their presence. Remember to watch for children approaching or leaving buses. They may be rushing around and not paying particular attention to their surroundings. This is especially true for younger kids during the first few weeks of the school year. It can take some time for children and parents to become acclimated with their situation. |
Buses will make frequent stops, especially when transporting the elementary school children. As drivers, take the time to pay extra attention for potential hazards and always exercise patience.
On behalf of everyone at the Dudley Police Department, I wish you all a happy, healthy, and safe 2021-2022 school year. For those still seeking vaccination information, it can be found at www.dudleyma.gov or by calling 508-949-8036. Please continue moving forward with the “re-opening” of our state in a reasonable manner. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. During these challenging times, we, at the Dudley Police Department, greatly appreciate the support we receive from our community. Thanks again for your questions and comments. Please send them to me at the Dudley Police Department 71 West Main St. Dudley, Ma. 01571 or email at swojnar@dudleypolice.com. Opinions expressed in this weekly column are those of Chief Wojnar only and unless clearly noted, do not reflect the ideas or opinions of any other organization or citizen. |
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