MPD reminds drivers that school is back in session

MPD warns drivers that school is back in session which means children waiting at bus stops

On Tuesday, August 27, the Milford School District welcomed back students for the 2024-2025 school year. Milford Police Department asked drivers to be more cautious as children will be waiting for buses on the side of the road in the mornings while also coming off school buses in the afternoons.

“We urge motorists to be aware of children walking to school in the early morning hours and walking home in the mid to late afternoon hours. Also be aware of children waiting at bus stops throughout the district and prepare to stop for stopped school buses picking up or dropping off children,” Sergeant Timothy Maloney, Public Information Officer for Milford Police Department, said. “We urge parents to make sure your child wears clothing visible at bus stops and as they walk to school. Milford School District serves the Milford, Lincoln, Ellendale, Houston, and portions of the Greenwood area.”

Delaware law requires that all school buses have operational, amber-colored lights that activate 10 seconds prior stopping. The lights then turn red to alert drivers that the bus is stopping, and a child is getting either on or off the bus. Buses must also have a stop arm that extends from the driver’s side window to also alert drivers. A crossing arm extends from the front of the bus so students who must cross the road to their stop can do so safely in front of the bus.

When a bus activates their amber lights, drivers should immediately begin to slow down whether they are behind the bus or driving toward it. Drivers must be stopped in both directions on a two lane road as soon as the red flashing lights are activated. When a student must cross in front of the bus, the bus driver should announce to the child when it is safe to cross using a loudspeaker that can be heard by the child and other drivers. Until the bus resumes driving and turns off the red flashing lights, all other drivers must remain stopped. On major highways with four or more lanes, drives facing the bus do not have to stop, but those behind the bus must stop, even if the bus pulls onto the shoulder. In Milford, this would include Dupont Highway (Route 113) and Coastal Highway/Bay Road (Route 1).

Overtaking or passing a school bus in Delaware can result in fines and even jail time. For the first offense, drivers can be fined between as much as $230 and/or up to 60 days in jail. For subsequent offenses within three years, the fine can be as high as $575 and/or up to six months in jail. In addition, passing a stopped school bus could result in having a driver’s license revoked or suspended.

Any motorist who witnesses another driver passing a stopped school bus should contact the police department with jurisdiction in that area. If the incident occurs within the city limits of Milford, contact Milford Police Department while outside city limits contact the Delaware State Police. You will need to provide the license plate number, a description of the car, the location of the incident and the time it occurred. If possible, a description of the driver and the bus number should be provided as well.

Motorists who notice that a school bus has non-operating safety features, such as flashing lights that do not activate or a stop or crossing arm that does not deploy, should contact the Milford School District transportation office at 302-424-8820 or email [email protected]. They should provide the bus number and the location where they witnessed the non-operational features. The district will then notify the bus contractor or driver.