I was driving a school bus and received a ticket for running a red light. I went to stop when I saw the light change to yellow. I applied the brakes but found I would have to really apply the brakes hard if I was going to stop. I had special need students on board and some of them were not wearing a seat belt. I could not safely stop without possibly throwing some of them from their seat.
I let off the brake and proceed through the light. An officer pulled me over and said I was going to fast. I told him I was running 35 mph in a 40 mph zone. He then said I wasn't paying attention. I then proceed to tell him about trying to brake. He wrote a ticket anyway. Do you think that I could possible fight this ticket and win. I have a CDL and can't take a driving school by Arizona law. Thanks for you help...

Where were you when you saw the light change? Before it, under it?

I'm a little concerned that special need students who apparently need special attention or you wouldn't have mentioned it weren't seatbelted in. How big is the bus? I know that varies by State.

What would I do? I would retain an Attorney and have that Attorney plead this down to a non-moving violation.

If you attempt to explain/argue the case the argument is going to be that at 35, aware of your surroundings, you should have had time to stop.

I know why you didn't but I don't know that the Court will understand.

I'd go with an Attorney.

Yes, this is one of those events where I would not even make a public statement without my attorney, since this ticket and action could effect your job with the school board also.

If you enter the intersection on yellow ( it is yellow before you enter) at least in GA, that is cosidered running the red light.
So by your own statement you are guility.

No matter what the speed limit is, if you can not safety stop your vechile in the space allowed, you are going to fast for conditions.

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Originally Posted by JudyKayTee

Where were you when you saw the light change? Before it, under it?

I'm a little concerned that special need students who apparently need special attention or you wouldn't have mentioned it weren't seatbelted in. How big is the bus? I know that varies by State.

What would I do? I would retain an Attorney and have that Attorney plead this down to a non-moving violation.

If you attempt to explain/argue the case the argument is going to be that at 35, aware of your surroundings, you should have had time to stop.

I know why you didn't but I don't know that the Court will understand.

I'd go with an Attorney.

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Thanks Judy for the info. The school bus was special needs but it weighs about 22,000 pounds. Some of the special needs students don't wear a seatbelt if their IEP doesn't require it. You can't stop a bus nearly as quickly as a car. Thanks for taking the time to answer.

Come back and let us know what you did and how it works out, okay?