A two-fer

"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
02/12/2020 at 10:05 • Filed to: None

Both pulled over for passing a school bus with the red lights flashing while picking up children. We recently had a tragic and life changing accident due to in attentive drivers. Thank you Montana Highway Patrol!

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DISCUSSION (16)

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
02/12/2020 at 10:14

Peo ple who pass stopped buses should get far more than just a ticket in my eyes ...like...having their license taken for a year, MINIMUM , because that is willfully endangering somebody’s life...

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
02/12/2020 at 10:17

The MHP has been driving with the buses along this stretch several days a week, it’s very dangerous for the children. I think first offense here is just a ticket.

According to Montana State Law, the fine for passing a stopped school bus with its sign extended can be up to $500. If an incident is severe, drivers can also be cited with reckless driving.

Sovande > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
02/12/2020 at 10:22

My ex got a ticket for passing a school bus in the drop-off lane at my son’s school. IN the parking lot. T he busses all have cameras attached to the swing out stop sign and it automatically took a photo which automatically generated a ticket. Only problem was that the bus was parked with nobody on it and the driver had inadvertently left the sign out.

Ash78, voting early and often > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
02/12/2020 at 10:22

ONE time I accidentally passed a school bus that had stopped directly around a right turn (like 10' past the apex) . I was looking for traffic to the left, then turned right and realized there was a bus next to me. It was a paratransit bus that stops at people’s houses to reduce travel distance.

I felt like a total dick, but never saw it coming. OTOH, that’s not a good place to stop a bus.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Ash78, voting early and often
02/12/2020 at 10:25

There are certainly extenuating circumstances, however this case I am showing above the site line is about 1 mile and the bus deliberately drives with the yellows flashing for several hundred yards before stopping.

Ash78, voting early and often > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
02/12/2020 at 10:26

IMHO that should be jail time. If it’s easy to prove they had ample warning and they still ignore it, I consider that criminal negligence.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Ash78, voting early and often
02/12/2020 at 10:27

And with the recent incident you would think people are paying attention. Busing on this road (HWY 93) is particularly dangerous, it’s a very busy highway connecting several towns.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Ash78, voting early and often
02/12/2020 at 10:28

They were there for a while, so I’m assuming they both at least got tickets.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Sovande
02/12/2020 at 10:28

that seems a bit unfair to me....

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
02/12/2020 at 10:30

Back when I worked as a paralegal on the side, much of what I did was prosecuting the occasional bar fight, DWI’s and traffic citations in which the defendant hired a lawyer. Generally we’d cut a deal of 90-180 days deferred (I saw no meaningful difference, but their laywers liked to negotiate over it so they could tell the client they got something for them) + court costs. Except for school zones. Anything that involved a bus or a school zone got no deal. They always got the points and the fine.

MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) > Ash78, voting early and often
02/12/2020 at 10:32

Jail is expensive, I think financial ruin and shame is enough. Lots of fines and the state takes your vehicle and license. When you are inevitably driving your liquorcycle as a result of the license revocation you must wear a sash that explains you like to pass school buses like a dickhole

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com
02/12/2020 at 10:32

Good. There is no reason that anybody should risk the life of a child to get to their destination 30 seconds faster.

MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
02/12/2020 at 10:33

That is lame. Here the min fine is 2500$ I think. Can be more and can be jail time if you’re really fucking about

Sovande > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
02/12/2020 at 10:37

The traffic court judge saw it the same way and threw the ticket out. The fine was $350 and points on her license. They have since changed the way the busses and cars are routed in the mornings.

facw > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
02/12/2020 at 10:46

What sort of road is this? Obviously you don’t pass the bus, and these people should have the book thrown at them, but good bus route design should also try to avoid dropping kids off on major roads, and also avoid them crossing major roads (though if they are going to cross, probably better to have them do so with the bus’ protection).

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick)
02/12/2020 at 10:55

Yeah, I think it should either be a really high ticket at least, minimum...