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School's Open -- Please Drive Safely |
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| With hundreds of school children heading back into the classroom, the Fair Lawn Police Department will be increasing enforcement of violations in school zones. Driver and pedestrian safety should be on everyone's mind. The list below highlights some of the more frequent complaints/violations that occur around our schools. | |
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1. Stop for a Stopped School Bus.....New Jersey law requires that the operators of vehicles stop for a school bus while the bus is stopped to discharge or receive children. Your vehicle must be stopped at a distance of at least 25 feet from the stopped bus and must remain stationary until the children have entered the bus or reached the side of the street AND the flashing red lights are no longer exhibited by the bus. Passing a stopped school bus is very dangerous and is also serious offense. New Jersey law requires a mandatory court appearance and the violation is are punishable by a fine of no less than $100.00, jail or community service for not more than 15 days, or both. In addition, when convicted of this moving violation, the Division of Motor Vehicles adds a minimum of 4 points to your driving record, and violators risk having their license suspended. 2. Obey the Crossing Guards.....They' re there for a purpose (and it's not to make you late!) When they hold up their stop sign, it's as if a police officer was holding it. The crossing guard's ONLY concern is the safety of people crossing the street. Yelling at them will not make the children cross faster. 3. Speeding.....In a school zone, the speed limit is 25 mph. Safety in a school zone depends on it. When driving 40 mph on a dry and level roadway, it would take 125 feet to bring your car to a complete stop. At 25 mph on the same road conditions, it would take 60 feet to bring your car to a complete stop. 4. Discharge of passengers.....New Jersey law prohibits passengers from being dropped off or picked up from anywhere except at the curb. Allowing passengers to exit on the roadway when the vehicle is stopped for traffic or the crossing guard is dangerous, not to mention a moving violation. Always pull to the curb before dropping off or picking up passengers. 5. No stopping/No standing.....Just what it says; even for a few seconds. It is a violation to stop/stand in a prohibited area even to discharge or pick up passengers. 6. No parking/Improper parking.....Vehicles are not permitted to remain in prohibited areas, even if the driver is seated in the car with the motor running. |
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Help us to keep the school zones safe for all of our children!!! |
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