Editor's note: This is the first in a series of articles highlighting commonly broken laws, explaining common misconceptions about the laws and detailing what types of actions will get a person in trouble. With school starting recently, today we examine school zone speeding and school bus stop arm violations. To suggest a law for The Times to highlight, contact the writer.
With another school year under way, extra police patrols are looking to catch speeders in school zones and watch for motorists who disregard school bus stop arms and road crossing guards.
"The whole idea is to keep the children safe coming and going from school," Valparaiso police Sgt. Michael Grennes said.
Most people understand they can be ticketed for speeding in a school zone, but police say many people don't realize that disregarding a school bus stop arm is a misdemeanor, not merely an infraction. In addition, police don't have to witness the offense to charge the offender.
"The bus driver can get the license plate number, vehicle and driver description ... and we can follow up on it," Grennes said.
Portage police Sgt. Keith Hughes reminds motorists that they must stop for a school bus stop arm whether they are going the same direction as the bus or the opposite direction. They must stop even if on two-lane roads with a turn lane in the middle or undivided four-lane roads.
"The only exception is on a divided highway," Hughes said.
Grennes said people think that if they are a few lanes removed from the bus, and if kids aren't walking across all the lanes, they don't have to stop. But Indiana law requires motorists to stop because there is always the chance that a child will dart across the road.
"When you're dealing with young kids, they don't always do what they're supposed to do," Grennes said.
Grennes said police also want to highlight two other laws pertaining to school -- bringing weapons onto school property. It is a felony to possess a firearm on school property or a school bus. It is a misdemeanor to possess a knife at school or on a bus. However, knives may be used if authorized by the school and may be kept in secured vehicles.
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