Mt. Pulaski Chief of Police Anthony West
With the new school year approaching, please be sure to drive carefully watching for children and school buses

 

[August 13, 2023] 

The first day back to School is right around the corner. Whether children will be walking, riding their bicycles, or taking the bus to school, the Mt. Pulaski Police Department wants to make sure the children and motorists around the community are taking the appropriate safety precautions.

Make sure you SLOW DOWN and are sharing the roadway. Things can get a little crazy during the school year. From school buses being everywhere, kids on bikes rushing to get to school or parents hurrying to drop their kids off before heading to work. With school approaching and kids becoming more present around town, it's never more important for drivers to make sure they SLOW DOWN and PAY ATTENTION to their surroundings.

REMEMBER, if the school bus flashers are on, or the stop arm extended, or both, children are present, and you may not drive by the school bus. Our district school buses are equipped with cameras and record excellent video of vehicles, license plates, and occupants.

Violations of passing a school bus while loading or unloading is usually met with zero tolerance and a citation issued, which can result in a fine and suspension of driving privileges for three months. Approximately 25,000 children are injured and 100 are killed in school zone accidents each year.

The fine for passing a school bus with its stop arm extended is $300 for first offense,
$1,000 for repeated offenders and mandatory court appearance. Let's have a Safe and Great 2023-2024 School Year!

Mt. Pulaski Chief of Police Anthony West