RSU 12 Sees Alarming Uptick in Vehicles Running Red Bus Lights

It's an alarming trend.. And not the good kind that people can't wait to get in on on TikTok. No, this trend has little to do with social media and everything to do with the safety of our kids.

According to a school official at the Windsor Elementary School, parents and bus drivers alike have noticed a drastic uptick in the number of vehicles that are blowing by school buses that are stopped with their red lights flashing and 'STOP' signs deployed.

People who continue to drive past a stopped school bus with flashing red lights are a detriment to the safety of Maine's children. In addition to increasing the chance that a child could be injured or killed in a vehicle/person collision, these impatient and careless drivers also run the risk of some pretty hefty penalties.

Driving through a stopped school bus in Maine can result in a fine of up to $1,000, a 30 day license revocation and up to 60 days in jail. So the next time you decide to throw all caution to the wind and put our children in danger, you should really ask yourself if it's worth it.

In addition to contacting Maine law enforcement and requesting increased patrols in the RSU 18 area, the district has recently invested nearly $25,000 in on-board cameras for their school buses. This is in hopes that when someone does drive through a buses red flashing lights, they will be able to review the footage and subsequently press charges.

STOP for school buses. It only takes a second and it could literally save a life.

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