Most school systems will start back to school this week for the 2019-2020 school year. According to school calendars for Dekalb County, Marshall County, Jackson County, and Fort Payne City school systems, these systems will begin school this Wednesday, August 7th. According to Cherokee County’s calendar, they will begin on Thursday, August 8th.
Remember, during the morning and afternoon hours, there will be reduced speed limits in each school zone. Be prepared to slow down as you approach any school this week and watch for school buses, on the roadways, stopping to load and unload children each day. It is against the law to pass a school bus, while they are stopped with their stop sign out and red lights flashing.
Fines for passing a stopped school:
First offense for illegally passing a stopped bus is $150 to $300. For the second offense you could be fined between $300 to $500 and get your driver’s license suspended for 30 days and have to do 100 hours of community service. The third offense could result in the loss of your driver’s license for 90 days, a fine of up to $1,000, and 200 hours of community service. Your fourth offense becomes a felony, punishable by a fine of up to $3,000 and a one-year license suspension.
So, pay attention, watch for children, school buses, and slow down in the school zones and save yourself some money and more importantly, save a life.
