Even though the laws in North Royalton have been strengthened regarding drivers stopping for school buses that are picking up or dropping off children, the numbers of those disregarding the law seems to be increasing.
North Royalton Law Director Tom Kelly noted that at a recent Council Safety Committee meeting, that North Royalton Police Chief Keith Tarase mentioned that in the past month or so, there have been nine more citations issued for school bus violations. Someone asked, “Were they repeat offenders?” He said that the City’s “Magistrate looked into it. As far as they can tell, they were repeat offenders.”
According to the law, a driver should keep in mind that when approaching a school bus that is in the process of dropping off children, they need to stop their vehicle. That goes for drivers who are facing the bus, or behind the bus.
According to the laws of the State of Ohio:
• Drivers approaching a school bus in any direction must stop at least ten feet from the front or rear of the school bus. They cannot proceed until the school bus resumes motion or the school bus driver motions for the driver to proceed.
• When a highway has four or more lanes, a driver approaching from the opposite direction of the school bus does not need to stop. However, those driving in the same direction as the school bus must stop.
In 2020, the North Royalton City Council adopted legislation that increased the fine from $500 to $1,000, for those who fail to stop. Then, earlier this year, Council again adopted legislation that makes the offense a first-degree misdemeanor. The measure was unanimously adopted at the April 18, 2022 City Council meeting. A misdemeanor of the first degree as defined in the Ohio Revised Code and shall be sentenced according to the provisions of NRCO Section 698.02 and subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 and a term of incarceration of not more than 180 days.
According to Tarase, “Most violators are caught after the fact, as videos are sent to us from the school bus cameras.” School buses have the ability to capture video at the front and back of the school bus.
Kelly said that, “The magistrate tells me that he has been laying on a ten-day jail term.” Kelly then points out that “this is a first-degree misdemeanor – just below the level of a felony. Wake up people! When there is a school bus and the lights are flashing, you’d better stop.” Kelly wants drivers to be aware of both the danger of not stopping, but also the potential penalty. “You very possibly could go to jail. There will be a matter of a jail sentence. A little child could be seriously killed, as a result of a distraction.”

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer