Chief’s Corner
By Chief Steven J. Wojnar Dudley Police Department The pandemic shutdowns caused several changes in our society. One major one was school students participated in remote learning for much of the past year and one half. This resulted in the limited the presence of school busses. Perhaps many drivers have forgotten about the increased presence of these vehicles back on the roads now that we are “open.” We have received reports of vehicles travelling through the bus “red lights” while children are entering and exiting. Buses transport hundreds of children each day and, since safety is a great concern, I was asked to remind everyone of the laws surrounding school busses. 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. Busses 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 are considered 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. |
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.
Congratulations and thanks go to everyone who participated in our annual “Halloween Spooktacular” on Thursday, October 28th. A large contingent of children and families paraded from the Library to the Town Hall where there were games, campfires with smores, the Fire Department Safe House, and much more. It is great to see these fun activities back in action. More will be on the horizon. Thanks to all the Town employees and the other volunteers who worked very hard to make this another fun time. 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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