Got Booked for Overtaking a School Bus? The Logue Law Group Can Help!

As Pennsylvania residents, we all know what to do when a school bus stops, right? As long as those red lights keep flashing, and the stop arm remains extended, we cannot drive past the vehicle, for the sake of children’s safety, right?

But what happens when a brief moment of inattention leads you to overtake a school bus and get booked for it?

Well, that is exactly what happened to our client, Ms. Pearson. She got charged by the cops for improperly overtaking a school bus and was on the verge of facing a two-month-long license suspension, along with five points on her driver’s license.

Thankfully, she called up our Pittsburgh criminal lawyers, who helped her avoid the points on her license.

Let’s take a closer look.

What are the Rules for Stopping Behind a School Bus?

Pennsylvania’s school bus stopping law is very strict, and that’s for a good reason- safety and protection of the children. When a school bus stops, its red flashing lights activate, and the stop arm extends. And according to the traffic rules, all drivers must come to a complete stop when they see this in front of them.

But there’s a catch here, too-

• You must stop at least ten feet away from the bus. This applies to vehicles traveling in the same direction, as well as those approaching from the opposite direction.
• You are not allowed to proceed with your vehicle until the red lights stop flashing and the stop arm retracts.
• Furthermore, you cannot move until all children have safely entered the bus or reached the sidewalk. The law allows for no exceptions, which is why a charge can get so serious.

And that’s exactly why you need the assistance of a Pittsburgh criminal lawyer, as in many cases, an incorrect report from the bus driver can lead to unnecessary harassment. Fortunately, our client was wise enough to call us!

Charges for Overtaking, and How Our Lawyers Can Help

A conviction for overtaking a school bus can get quite serious here in Pittsburgh. If you are proven guilty, you can receive the following charges-

• Suspension of your driver’s license for 60 days
• Five points added to your driving record
• A hefty fine of $250

In the case of our client, Ms. Pearson, the stakes were even higher. Losing her license meant losing her job, which was her sole source of livelihood. At Logue Law Group, our expert Pittsburgh criminal lawyers understood the gravity of her situation. We gathered evidence and built a solid defense plan. We were able to demonstrate that the inadvertent error was not our client’s fault, but rather the bus driver’s, who failed to activate the flashing yellow warning lights on time.

We also had another advantage. Ms. Pearson had a spotless driving record, which helped us reflect her good character and careful nature. Hence, we negotiated with the prosecutor to get her charges reduced to a lesser offense. The lesser charge had a much smaller fine and contained no license suspension. This allowed our client to keep her job and her driving privileges.

Such cases portray the value of having a dedicated Pittsburgh criminal lawyer by your side. If you, or a loved one, are facing a similar situation, do not ever plead guilty without exploring your options.

Just remember that we at the Logue Law Group are here to help and get you out of such unnecessary hassles. Our experienced Pittsburgh criminal lawyers are well-versed in Pennsylvania Traffic Laws and can help get the best possible outcome for your case.

So, don’t face such charges all alone! Call us at 844.PITT.DUI, and book a free consultation with ur expert lawyers today!