Now that the new school year has begun, drivers 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.
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.
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.
Drivers who violate the law and fail to stop for a school bus that is in the process of dropping off children will be guilty of a first-degree misdemeanor. The measure was unanimously adopted at the April 18, 2022 City Council meeting. At that time, Council President Paul Marnecheck stated that, “It strengthens the protection that increases the penalty for impatient people who think their time is more important than a child’s life.”
The measure was first discussed at the March 15, 2022 Council Safety Committee Meeting, where North Royalton Police Chief Keith Tarase reported that police have issued 15 school bus citations so far in 2022. Last year, even though school was not open for a portion of the school year, it was reported that 22 citations were issued, according to North Royalton Law Director, Tom Kelly. The matter was again discussed at the April 19 Safety Committee meeting, with Tarase noting that there were four more citations issued in the past month. Kelly stated that, “I’m sure it’s all distracted drivers, but these distractions have to end.” To that comment, Marnecheck noted that, “It’s a reminder, myself included, to focus when we are driving. Hopefully, this will raise awareness for people to be focused when they are driving.”
The new legislation amends the City’s codified ordinance, which states that those who violate “may be fined an amount not to exceed $1,000,” and has now been replaced with “is guilty of 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.”

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer