“Failing To Stop For A School Bus - Early Resolution”

I received a ticket last week for not stopping for a school bus - 500$, not sure about the demerits. This is my first ticket/offense for any fault in my last 12 years of driving. I have requested for an early resolution as I feel the school driver is partly responsible. Following is the description of the case.

1. I left my kid at school and driving by. In the second exit of my kid's school, an empty school bus was waiting near the exit. So I waited so that the school bus can merge on the road.

2. After the school bus entered the road, I was following the bus for quite some time. After a sharp turn, I saw the school bus have the right signal on a straight road. So I assumed that the bus is planning to stop. I failed to think there might be kids getting ready to board the bus as I knew the bus came out from my kid's school empty.

3. So I signaled left and tried to pass the bus when the stop sign on the bus came out. But by then I was at least completely on the opposite lane so I had no choice but to proceed. Only when I passed the bus I realized there were 2-3 kids waiting to board the bus.

I understand I should wait for a couple of seconds before I tried to pass. I agree with my mistake and will make sure I do it next time. For this time, I believe the driver of the school bus is also responsible considering that the right signal on a straight road should have confused any driver. Please let me know how this will all playout with a prosecutor. This is my first time going to a court.

please advise

Thanks

A school bus will activate its overhead lights when receiving or discharging children. Either that didn't happen or you didn't notice.

You can start from there.

Thanks, Bend for the reply. I did notice right signal so I assume there were no blinking red lights.

I did read through replies of other similar incidents but cannot decide on what to say during the early resolution.

I have also submitted my inquiry to x-copper for a quote. haven't received a call yet.

Yesh