Tuesday marked the first day of school in Monongalia County, which for many meant the first day of slightly longer morning and afternoon commutes.
With West Virginia University starting Wednesday, traffic will only get worse as the college students attempt to navigate their way around town.
While the additional congestion is frustrating, impatient drivers who choose to break the rules, particularly around school buses, could face serious consequences.
Thanks to a grant from the West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program, Monongalia County Sheriff’s Deputies will be stationed at various bus stops throughout the county during the first week of school.
According to Sheriff Perry Palmer, the deputies will sit near the bus stops with their cruiser lights on to get drivers used to school buses in the area during morning pick-up and afternoon drop-off.
“As we get problem calls from other places, which we will, then we will move them,” Palmer said.
“And watch out for the smaller kids at the bus stops,” he advised, adding that he recommends having small children wear something colorful so they can be seen, especially when the time changes.
The Dominion Post spoke with parents at bus stops on Earl L. Core Road and Pineview Drive who were thrilled to see the deputies’ vehicles and had already noticed cars slowing down when they saw the police lights.
“We will be ticketing,” Palmer said. “If you have to leave 10-15 minutes early, then leave 10-15 minutes early.”
Passing a school bus that is picking up or dropping off children can carry some fairly hefty penalties, including jail time.
According to West Virginia code, a driver meeting or overtaking a school bus from any direction which has stopped to pick up or drop off children and has activated their flashing warning signal lights may not proceed until the bus resumes motion, the driver signals you to proceed, or the flashing lights are no longer activated.
A first-offense violation of the law results in $500-$1,000 in fines, or up to six months in jail, or both. In addition, the Commission of Motor Vehicles will suspend your driver’s license for 60 days.
Even if you are not pulled over passing a bus, if your license plate is known, it may be inferred that you are the driver, even if someone else is driving your car.
If you hit or injure someone while overtaking a bus, you could face felony charges and be confined to a state penitentiary for one-to-three years and fined $2,000-$5,000.
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