JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md –
Even though planning ahead to ensure time for safe travel and paying attention to the road "sans" distractions, have always been paramount; morning delays and afternoon traffic can leave motorists rushing to work and racing to get home.
As children will soon be boarding and exiting school buses, on and off base, our situational awareness must increase tenfold.
When school buses have their red lights flashing and stop arm deployed, children's safety comes before personal circumstance. Whether you're military or civilian, the costs for disregarding school bus stop signs are steep.
According to the Department of Transportation, Maryland's penalties for any off-base motorist who waives the right to go to trial after receiving a ticket for disregarding the school bus stop sign, opts to pay a fine of $570.00 and have two-points taken off their license. The fine escalates to $610.00 and three points when the violation contributes to an accident.
Active-duty military members and Guard and Reserve on active status who get ticketed on base will receive a citation Department of Defense form 1408, armed forces traffic ticket. Civilians driving on base fall under Maryland state laws, according to security forces.
Form 1408 has no monetary penalty for violations, but the standard reporting instructions are to report this violation to their commander and first sergeant within 24 hours or immediately upon returning to duty. This offense, as well as others, will impact the members on base driving privileges.
By obeying the law and coming to a complete stop for school buses, regardless of the direction of the approach, money, time and stress can be saved, but most of all, children can be safer, to and from school.