Drivers who blow past a stopped school bus in Connecticut face a $450 fine for a first offense and up to 30 days in jail for repeat violations. Greenwich Police highlighted the law Tuesday, Aug. 25, with the new school year set to begin Friday, Aug. 28, according to Greenwich Free Press.

The advisory centers on a distinction many drivers miss: the difference between a bus's amber and red warning lights.

Flashing amber lights mean the bus is preparing to stop. Drivers should slow down and get ready to halt. Flashing red lights mean stop immediately and stay stopped until the lights go off and the bus moves again.

What the law requires

Connecticut General Statutes § 14-279 spells out the specifics. Drivers must come to a complete stop no less than 10 feet from the front of a bus when approaching, or no less than 10 feet from the rear when following. The rule applies on public highways, private roads, parking lots and school property.

One exception exists: on a divided highway where lanes are separated by a physical barrier or safety island, drivers on the opposite side may proceed without stopping.

Penalties

A first conviction carries a $450 fine. Subsequent offenses bring fines between $500 and $1,000, imprisonment up to 30 days, or both.

Why it matters now

Police noted that children may be entering, exiting or crossing the roadway at any point while a bus is stopped, and urged drivers to put away distractions and exercise patience near bus stops.

As we reported Tuesday, Greenwich police also issued a broader advisory asking motorists to reduce speed in school zones as the new year begins.

Residents can contact the Greenwich Police Department at (203) 622-8004 to report violations or ask questions about school-zone safety.