Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office issues warning to drivers as students return to school

BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – As Raleigh County Schools welcomes students back to the classroom on Thursday, the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office has issued a warning to motorists regarding guidelines pertaining to school buses.

Members of the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office , in cooperation with the West Virginia Southern Regional Highway Safety Program, could be seen patrolling school zones on and bus routes on Thursday.

“Anyone caught violating state laws regarding school buses and restricted school zones will be cited or arrested,” said the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office in a statement. “Please slow down, be patient and watch out for the safety of our children.”

According to West Virginia law, any driver of any vehicle overtaking or meeting a stopped school bus in either direction while buses are discharging students or having students board with flashing warning signal lights is to stop their vehicle until the bus resumes motion, signals to the driver to continue, or deactivates warning lights.

Simply passing a stopped bus can lead to fines in the amount of $500 (minimum) and up to six months behind bars. Those who injure an individual or individuals while attempting to pass a stopped school bus will be charged with a felony and could face multiple years in prison along with thousands of dollars in fines.

“Not only will you get arrested and face fines and jail time, you will also lose your privileges to drive,” the statement continued. “Anyone convicted of passing a stopped school bus can lose their license for anywhere from 30 to 180 days.”

The statement also issued a warning addressing speed limits put into place for the safety of school zones, indicating that those caught speeding in a school zone could be fined up to $500 and could face up to six months in jail, along with potential suspension of driving privileges.