School Bus Traffic Violation Attorney in Florida
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Understanding Florida’s School Bus Stopping Laws
School bus safety is a big deal in Florida. Florida law states that drivers must stop when a school bus displays its red flashing lights and extended school bus stop arm. Drivers going either direction on an undivided highway must stop when a school bus loads or unloads children. On a divided road, vehicles going in the same direction as the bus must stop.
Not obeying Florida school bus safety laws can cause serious bodily injury or death. That’s why Florida has expensive traffic tickets in effect for those who violate school bus safety laws.
However, not every school bus safety violation is legitimate. If the police ticketed you for a school bus traffic violation, don’t pay it without talking to a traffic ticket lawyer first. The Ticket Fighter Law Firm can review your stopped school bus case for free and provide your legal options.
Our school bus ticket lawyers have helped thousands of Floridians overcome costly traffic violations, protecting their finances and driving records. Our goal with each client is to avoid points, suspension, and a court appearance. (Terms & Conditions). Contact the Ticket Fighter today for a free consultation at (407) 476-5120.
Legal Penalties for Failing to Stop for a School Bus
Florida law imposes severe penalties for drivers who fail to stop for a school bus and a school bus stop arm when it is required to do so. Florida Statute §316.172 establishes fines and other penalties, based on which side of the bus is passed and whether it’s a repeat offense.
For passing a stopped school bus on the left side, the minimum fine in Florida is $200. A second offense within five years results in a driver’s license suspension of up to a year. Passing on the right side, where children enter and exit, is a minimum fine of $400, requires a mandatory court hearing, and may result in four points being added to the driver’s license. A second offense within five years can lead to a license suspension of up to two years.
Additionally, drivers convicted of passing a school bus are typically required to complete a state-approved driver improvement course, which can be taken online or in person. These penalties, doubled as of January 2021, reflect the state’s commitment to school bus and child safety.
Cameron Mayhew Act Penalties For School Bus Violations
The Cameron Mayhew Act, effective July 2017, addresses incidents where passing a stopped school bus causes serious bodily injury or death. Named after a child killed in 2016 by a motorist who passed an oncoming school bus, the act imposes these consequences:
- Minimum school bus penalties: $1,500 fine, 120 hours of community service in a trauma center or hospital, and a one-year license suspension.
- Additional stopped school bus ticket requirements: Participation in a victim’s impact panel session or a driver improvement course if no panel is available, plus six points on the driving record.
- Further consequences: Jail time or other penalties may be imposed for a serious violation of passing a school bus, as determined by a judge, depending on the severity of the incident. This act highlights the severe repercussions of endangering children through reckless driving.
Florida is dedicated to child safety for stopped school buses. Therefore, expect the prosecutor to attempt to convict you of any alleged school bus violation. You should retain an experienced attorney at The Ticket Fighter to contest your ticket.
Common Scenarios That Lead to Violations
- Drivers must stop for a school bus displaying red flashing lights and an extended stop arm. These signals indicate children are boarding or exiting. Violations of this law are common in school zones and often stem from the following:
- Misinterpreting whether roadways are divided or undivided is a frequent cause of school bus violation tickets. For example, you might believe that it’s a divided highway, so you don’t need to stop. This misunderstanding is a frequent avenue for skilled traffic ticket lawyers to contest a stopped school bus violation.
- Drivers may be distracted or unaware of nearby school bus stops, especially in residential areas or near schools. You may have been unaware that a school bus was stopping, which required you to stop.
- Traffic congestion or confusion at intersections or in neighborhoods often leads to misjudging when it is legal to pass. For example, you might be at a four-way stop in a residential neighborhood, and believe you don’t need to stop.
- Ignoring or rushing past extended stop arms or flashing red lights due to impatience or tight schedules can lead to an expensive traffic ticket.
- Some violations in school zones occur when drivers follow other vehicles too closely and fail to notice the bus stopping until it’s too late.
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Normally within 24 hours of your hearing we publish the results to the online portal. The portal sends an email whenever we add or change anything so you won’t miss any important messages we send.
Defending Against a School Bus Violation Charge
Defending successfully against a school bus stop violation is difficult. Florida is serious about protecting children. An experienced and knowledgeable traffic ticket lawyer is crucial for navigating the legal process. Follow these steps to maximize the chances of beating your school zone ticket:
Collect Evidence
Collecting evidence is critical to contesting a school bus violation. If cited by a traffic camera, request access to the video footage to verify the violation. Check if the bus’s stop arm was fully deployed or if lights were active when you passed. Premature deployment or unclear signals could support your case.
Dashcam footage, witness statements, or photos of the scene can strengthen your defense. For divided highways, confirm whether the median meets the five-foot requirement. Painted lines don’t qualify as a barrier. Document any mitigating factors, like obstructed views or sudden bus stops, to argue a genuine mistake.
Hire The Ticket Fighter Law Firm
Our skilled attorneys have helped thousands of drivers beat serious traffic tickets, including violations for stopped school buses and school zones. We can analyze the citation for errors, such as incorrect timing or location details, and challenge camera-based evidence if the system failed to meet state requirements.
Our attorneys may also negotiate with prosecutors to reduce penalties or represent you in court to highlight discrepancies, such as unclear bus signals or law enforcement errors. The Ticket Fighter consistently achieves success in fighting such tickets, leveraging our experience to protect your driving record.
Contesting the Ticket In Court
To contest the school zone ticket, you must act promptly. Deadlines for requesting a hearing are strict, usually within 30 days. In court, you and your attorney should show evidence clearly, emphasizing any legal or procedural issues, such as improper bus operation or lack of due process. If the violation was unintentional, due to confusion or obstructed signals, courts may consider leniency, especially for first-time offenders.
Be prepared to present camera evidence; 95% of drivers don’t contest citations after viewing clear footage. If the system lacks a proper contesting process, as reported in some
Why Hiring a School Bus Traffic Violation Attorney Matters
Hiring a school bus traffic violation attorney in Florida is critical due to the severe consequences associated with passing stopped school bus. Violating Florida’s School Bus Stop Law can lead to hefty fines, license suspension, and points on your driving record.
For instance, passing a stopped school bus on the entry or exit side carries a minimum fine of $400 for a first offense and a potential two-year license suspension for repeat violations within a five-year period. More severe cases, such as those resulting in serious bodily injury, can lead to fines of up to $1,500, mandatory driver improvement courses, and a minimum one-year license suspension.
Our skilled attorneys know how to defend against school bus stop tickets effectively. We understand how to navigate the legal system, challenge citations, and potentially reduce or dismiss penalties, thereby protecting your driving privileges and financial interests.
We Build a Strong Defense
Our tenacious bus stop signal attorneys will build a robust defense by gathering evidence and identifying flaws in the prosecution’s case. For example, we may argue that the school bus’s stop signals were not visible or that the violation occurred on a divided highway where stopping isn’t required.
In Florida, violations such as passing a school bus on the entry or exit side are subject to a mandatory court hearing. This means you cannot simply pay the fine or elect traffic school to avoid receiving points. Our experienced attorney can represent you in court, negotiate with prosecutors for reduced charges, or even secure a dismissal, which is particularly valuable given the four points added to your record for a conviction. This proactive approach helps lower the risk of increased insurance premiums and long-term impacts on your driving record.
We Protect Your Driving Record
Fines are not the only consequence of violating a school bus stop. You could lose your driver’s license, a serious consequence for professional drivers. Florida’s point system can quickly accumulate, with 12 points in a year leading to a 30-day license suspension. Hiring a Ticket Fighter lawyer now can prevent points from being assessed, preserving your ability to drive legally.
Don’t Let a Ticket Derail You
Whether it’s speeding, a red‑light camera, toll violation, or suspended license – your driving record matters. Our skilled attorneys defend Florida drivers like you every day, reducing points, avoiding fines, and keeping you on the road.
Safety Tips: Staying Informed and Safe Around School Buses
You can often avoid a costly ticket for a stopped school bus by following several school bus safety tips when driving in Florida:
- Always lower your speed and stay alert in school zones and residential areas where buses frequently stop.
- Learn to distinguish between divided and undivided highways to ensure compliance with Florida bus stop laws.
- Obey all school zone signs, watch for crossing guards, and never pass a school bus with flashing red lights in Florida.
- Take a Florida driver improvement course to reinforce defensive driving habits and possibly remove points from your record.
- Promote community awareness and responsible driving behavior near school bus routes to enhance public safety.
These school bus safety tips can keep everyone safe and ensure you avoid expensive tickets. However, if you have already received a ticket for passing a school bus, don’t pay the ticket without consulting The Ticket Fighter Law Firm. Our experienced traffic ticket lawyers have developed an outstanding record of case dismissals and charge reductions for tickets like yours. Speak to our Ticket Fighter lawyers today for a free consultation at (407) 476-5120.
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