Full Notification

School Bus Safety
Once the Red Lights Flash, You Cannot Pass
A message from the Denville Police
 
It is now February, 2022 and we are well into the school year. Yet, there have been many incidents throughout the Township of Denville involving the passing of school buses. The Denville Police Department wants to remind drivers about the dangers of passing stopped school buses. Every year, children are involved in accidents where drivers ignored school bus signals and drove around the bus, even with the red lights and stop bar activated.  Fortunately, Denville has avoided any such occurrences and we would like to keep it that way. Every state, including New Jersey, has laws restricting motorists from passing stopped school buses when the safety equipment is activated. In addition to these laws, here are some other things to consider when traveling around the Township of Denville:
 
•     Be alert and slow down when driving, especially in residential neighborhoods.
 
•     Watch for children gathered at bus stops and crosswalks.
 
•     Obey all school bus laws.  This includes slowing down when the yellow lights are activated.  Yellow lights do not mean it is your last attempt to get by the bus before it stops.
 
•     Flashing red lights and extended stop arms indicate that the bus has stopped and children will be either entering or exiting the bus.  Therefore, you must stop as well.
 
These reminders serve to keep all of Denville’s children safe. Already this school year (September to January), the Denville Police have investigated and issued summonses to 31 drivers for passing stopped school buses.  As a reminder, several of the Denville Board of Education’s buses are equipped with cameras. These cameras are capable of capturing vehicles passing in either direction with clarity.  If issued a summons, you could be facing up to $250 in fines, a potential loss of license for 30 days and up to 15 days in jail or community service for a first offense. In addition, the driver will receive 5 points on their license.
 
The Denville Police will remain proactive in identifying and stopping violators who pass stopped school buses.  If an officer witnesses a school bus passing violation, or the violation is captured on a school bus camera, there will be consequences for that driver’s actions. A comprehensive effort is being made by the Mayor’s Office, the Township of Denville Board of Education, and the Denville Police to bring awareness to this important safety issue.  We all feel that the safety and wellbeing of our children is of the utmost importance.  Just one bad choice to pass a school bus that results in the injury of a child, is one too many.  Please help us make our town a better place to live, work, and play.  Remember, when the red lights flash, you cannot pass!