my girlfreind passed a stopping school bus

[Jarvis]

and it doesn't help that she's 16 and has only had her license for a month :?

She could get lucky and get a judge that sees this as a lot to fine a first time offender with. The judge might have some mercy and not want to penalize her so much since she's a very inexperienced driver with an otherwise clean record (correct?).

60 days is a frickin long time... My friend lost his license for 30 days, cause he got two tickets before he was 17, and that felt like forever..

Try 180 days for the SAME situation. Or Josh's 365 days. 30 is nothing.

The biggest problem with the maximum penalty in this situation is not the suspension or fine, it's the license points. She hasn't had her license that long, what difference does it make if she can't drive for another 2 months? And fines only hurt her wallet temporarily, unless they're rediculous ones in excess of $1000. The biggest problem is the 5 points on her license. That's going to fuck with her insurance for a long time. Worry about getting that part of the penalty taken care of first.

[Rosica]

From PA drivers manual

"3345(a) Failure to stop for school bus with flashing red lights and stop arm extended (60-day suspension) and 5points."

"When a school bus is preparing to stop, its amber (yellow) lights will begin flashing. You MUST prepare to stop."

"When a driving record reaches 6 or more points for the first time, the driver will receive a written notice to take a written special point examination."

"the driving privilege of a person under the age of 18 will be suspended if that person accumulates six (6) or more points ....The first suspension will be for a period of 90 days."

Also, in PA the max points on a ticket is 5.

Personally I think you girlfriend is stupid for passing with the yellow lights flashing, but 5 points and 60 days is alot. If she goes to court I doubt she will get any less than careless driving, which is 3 points.

[nando]

I used to pass a bus every morning on my way home from work (about 70 in a 25). If I was ever stuck behind her, she'd even pull over to let me go by, since there was only a small portion of the road where I could safely pass (the rest was twisties).

it can't hurt to fight it and tell the truth about what happened (if the yellow lights were flashing). but if there is a witness that says the red lights were flashing, you're screwed.

[SickE30]

I know a cat that passed a stopped school bus and side swipe it. That was about 2 years ago. He still drives a moped.

[Z3Jonathan]

I know a cat that passed a stopped school bus and side swipe it. That was about 2 years ago. He still drives a moped.

I think you're pretty much screwed if you hit a school bus. I know IL there is a fine for getting into an accident w/ a school bus, on top of whatever other laws were broken to cause the accident. I'm not sure if this applies if the accident is deemed the bus driver's fault.

On top of that, its a bus fool of kids, all of whom could go after the auto driver's insurance company.

Jonathan

[PatNy]

she got

[KenC]

Why the hell did she pass it in the first place?

[Jand3rson]

Try 180 days for the SAME situation. Or Josh's 365 days. 30 is nothing.

No joke. 30 days is like 30 seconds to me.

She shouldn't have passed it. End of story. She'll be FUCKING lucky if she gets away with it, states don't screw around when it comes to school busses, school zones, etc...

[Old'n'Slow]

Best to treat schoolbuses like unexploded bombs!

Give them width berth...

You guys that think the bus driver was wrong might feel differently if those were your little rugrats on the bus. I know I would.

I think your GF should to offer to pay an increased fine in lieu of fewer points and no suspension. First offense helps, but judges are not known for leniency when dealing with young and possibly reckless drivers.

Good luck!

[franz]

Try 180 days for the SAME situation. Or Josh's 365 days. 30 is nothing.

No joke. 30 days is like 30 seconds to me.

She shouldn't have passed it. End of story. She'll be FUCKING lucky if she gets away with it, states don't screw around when it comes to school busses, school zones, etc...

You were counting every single day, I doubt the voracity of your statement.

[Jand3rson]

Try 180 days for the SAME situation. Or Josh's 365 days. 30 is nothing.

No joke. 30 days is like 30 seconds to me.

She shouldn't have passed it. End of story. She'll be FUCKING lucky if she gets away with it, states don't screw around when it comes to school busses, school zones, etc...

You were counting every single day, I doubt the voracity of your statement.

Doubt it all you want, you want to try it? I didn't think so.

[franz]

Doubt it all you want, you want to try it? I didn't think so.

You are so right about that. I have been more than lucky in my life regarding that kinda stuff,.

[Jand3rson]

Doubt it all you want, you want to try it? I didn't think so.

You are so right about that. I have been more than lucky in my life regarding that kinda stuff,.

Luck had nothing to do with it. It was my own fault.

[franz]

I feel for ya, I didn't mean to rub it in but even 30/60 days is a long time for a 16 year old

[Jarvis]

I feel for ya, I didn't mean to rub it in but even 30/60 days is a long time for a 16 year old

If she's only had it a month, then not having it for little while won't be too bad. Because of the laws in a lot of states, most teens don't end up getting their licence until they're 17. She'll appreciate her privilege to drive even more when she gets her licence back, if it comes to that.