The 2019/2020 School Year starts on Thursday September 5th, residents should plan for delays due to school bus traffic. It is important to remember that our children will be riding theses buses and to use extreme caution when approaching school buses and bus stops. The Readington Township Police will be monitoring school bus routes and stops periodically and will enforce all traffic laws.

Motorists should be aware that all Readington Township School busses are outfitted with cameras that record the entire bus route. These cameras can capture the violator's license plates and the identity of the driver. As bus drivers report these violations to the Readington Township Police Department, officers have a zero tolerance for school bus violations. The violator will be issued a summons for: 39:4-128.1 Improper Passing School Bus

On a New Jersey undivided highway, when approaching or overtaking a stopped bus that is being used to transport children to or from school or a summer day camp or a school connected activity, a driver must stop at least 25 feet from the bus and wait until all children have entered the bus or safely reached the side of the road, or until the bus is no longer exhibiting a flashing red light. (The bus driver will exhibit a flashing red light until all children entering or exiting the bus have reached a place of safety.)

Similarly, on a divided highway, a driver must stop and wait when passing a bus from behind. When passing on a divided highway in the opposite direction, a driver must slow to 10 miles per hour until passing the bus and any children that are entering or exiting.

When a school bus is parked at the curb in front of a school, a day camp, or a school connected activity and is receiving or discharging children directly to or from that location, a driver may pass without stopping, but not at a speed above 10 miles per hour.

Penalties for violating NJSA 39:4-128.1 will result in a fine of not less than $100 and 5 points on your driving record and the possibility of community service and or up to 15 days in jail.

Please be aware of stopped school buses to help keep our children safe.