October 21 through October 25 is National School Bus Safety Week and states throughout the nation are making efforts to remind motorists about the importance of obeying school bus passing laws. In Texas, traffic laws require drivers on both sides of the road to stop and wait while children enter or exit school buses. They are only permitted to pass once flashing lights have been turned off or stop signs withdrawn. On roadways divided by a space or physical barrier, only motorists following school buses are required to stop and wait.

These laws are essential to ensuring that children do not suffer preventable harm and that pedestrian accidents, injuries, and fatalities are reduced. Last year alone, Texas Highway Patrol troopers tickets 449 drivers for illegally passing a stopped school bus. According to the Texas Department of Transportation's crash statistics, there were also 840 traffic crashes involving school buses.

In an effort to raise awareness about these laws and to take part in National School Bus Safety Week, law enforcement officers throughout the state will be increasing school bus patrols. Troopers and officers will be riding on or following school buses in order to ticket motorists who fail to stop and wait. As a result of a new law passed in September, drivers who violate school bus passing laws may face license penalties and up to $1,250 in fines.

Unfortunately, accidents and injuries frequently occur as the result of negligence and carelessness. When drivers fail to uphold their legal duty to drive safely, disobey the law, and cause preventable harm, victims have a right to hold them liable. At The Daspit Law Firm, a Houston personal injury lawyer is prepared to represent victims of traffic accidents, including bus accidents and pedestrian accidents. If you would like more information on the law, your case, or your right to compensation, call (713) 364-0915 for a free consultation or fill out a free case evaluation form.