–With school in full swing, area residents are being reminded about the dangers of illegally passing a stopped school bus. Trooper Paul Gardner with the Iowa State Patrol says motorists need to be in the habit of slowing down when they encounter a school bus on the roadway.
Gardner says they have seen an uptick in violations across the Algona School District in recent weeks, something he labels a dangerous trend.
Whether you’re in a hurry to get to work or are late for an appointment, Gardner says there is no excuse that will validate a driver’s decision to pass a stopped school bus.
Citations are automatically sent to the registered owner of any vehicle caught passing a stopped school bus, no matter who was behind the wheel. Gardner says the technology onboard most of today’s school buses makes it easier for law enforcement to track down violators and issue citations.
