October is National Pedestrian Safety Month and Uintah School District has a message about protecting our most vulnerable pedestrians. “We need your help to keep our kids safe,” shares the District. “This school year, drivers have illegally passed Uintah School District buses 27 times since classes began on August 20th. That’s nearly half of last year’s total (58) in less than two months. September alone saw 25 violations, smashing the previous monthly record of 16 set in November 2021. Passing a school bus when its flashing stop sign is deployed isn’t just illegal, it’s life-threatening for the children getting on and off the bus. Our buses have more cameras now than ever, and every violation is reported to law enforcement. Police can use bus video to issue citations.” To make the consequences perfectly clear, in Utah, a ticket for ignoring a school bus stop sign can cost you a $1,000 fine plus 10 hours of community service for the 1st offense, $2,000 plus 20 hours of community service for the 2nd offense within 5 years, and $3,000 plus 40 hours of community service for the 3rd offense within 5 years. All are reminded to please stop for school buses when the red lights are flashing and the stop sign is out. Kids’ lives depend on it.
