CAMDEN — With the start of the the school year local police organizations are urging residents to use caution and be aware in school zones, as well as educating the public on recent changes in driving laws.
Camden Police Department Public Relations Officer Dana Wetherbee spoke to the Camden Lions Club about
Wetherbee said, “The state has two new laws concerning school bus safety and school zones while you are texting and driving, so those are two things that I want to bring to everybody’s attention.”
She said that while most people know you aren’t supposed to pass a school bus while the bus is parked, people still do at times.
Wetherbee said, “The law states that when a school bus is stopped and it is displaying it’s lights and it’s warning signs, every vehicle and motorcycle meeting or behind the vehicle is supposed to stop.”
Furthermore she said vehicles are prohibited from “regaining speed until the bus has turned it’s lights off and put in it’s warning sign.”
Wetherbee said the penalties for passing a school bus have increased.
She said, “It used to be if you were caught and found guilty the fine was anywhere from $250 to a $1,000 and there was a chance that you could be put in jail for 90 days, but now they have upped it to a class A misdemeanor, with that the fine is anywhere from $500 to $2,5000 with a year in jail.”
House Bill 1182, passed earlier this year states, ” (a) Except as provided under subsection (b) of this section, a driver of a motor vehicle shall not use a hand-held wireless telephone while operating a motor vehicle when passing a school building or school zone during school hours when children are present and outside the building.
“A driver of a motor vehicle who is passing a school building or school zone during school hours when children are present and outside the building may use a hand-held wireless telephone while operating a motor vehicle for an emergency purpose.
“This section does not apply to a law enforcement officers officer engaged in the performance of his or her official duties.
A law enforcement officer may stop or detain a driver of a motor vehicle solely to determine compliance with this section.”
Wetherbee said the fine for the offense in Ouachita County is $220.
Wetherbee also said that there are laws governing the use of cell phones for residents under the age of 21.
Arkansas drivers who are under 18 years old are entirely prohibited from using a cellphone while driving regardless of whether the phone is in hands-free mode. The only exception is for emergency purposes.
. Motorists who are at least 18 but not yet 21 years old can’t use a hand-held phone while driving but are allowed to talk on the phone using hands-free technology. These drivers are permitted to use a hand-held phone only during an emergency.
Finally, Wetherbee said that she is planning and extensive youth campaign to combat texting and driving and distracted driving.
In addition, Sequoyah Browning and Justin Cherry of the Arkansas State Police would like to send “A friendly reminder from the Arkansas State Police, to remind the motoring public that school has started, and to give themselves a little more time in traveling in the morning commute and evening commute. School bus, the loading areas and unloading areas and always watch out for small children that frequent and ride on school buses and to also pay attention whenever you enter a school zone, watch for the posted school zone signs. “
Browning wished everyone safe travels and welcomed them back to school.