How to drive safely through a school zone
Penalties for not driving safely in school zones
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How to drive safely through a school zone
Driving safely and with caution is of paramount importance when you are driving in a school zone. Children often cross the street without warning, do not look both ways if at all and are much smaller so they are considerably more difficult to see. If you hit a child when you are driving through a school zone, get ready for jail time, lifelong guilt, and a costly civil trial too.
The first and most obvious thing you must do when you are driving in a school zone in Puerto Rico is to obey all of the speed limits which will be noticeably lower. You must also stop when a crossing guard or crossing light signals you to do so. Finally, never pass a school bus that has its stop lights and sign deployed. All of these typically apply from about 6 AM to 6 or 7 PM Monday through Fridays when school is in session.
Penalties for not driving safely in school zones
If you are caught not obeying traffic laws in a school zone, the penalty will always be more severe than if you were driving on a regular street or highway. If you are caught speeding in a school zone in Puerto Rico, the fine will be at least two hundred and fifty dollars with the possibility of arrest depending on how fast you are traveling. For second offenses fines will be higher and a license suspension will possibly occur.
If you hit a child in a school zone, you will inevitably get convicted of vehicular homicide which typically carries a penalty of ten plus years in jail depending on the details of the crime. Either way, you will spend at least several years in prison and likely get ordered to pay the victims family a very large sum in civil court as well.
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You must drive through any school zones with the utmost caution and safety at all times. This includes driving at or under posted speed limits, stopping when signaled by crossing guards or crossing signals and not passing active stopped school buses. If you do not obey these rules, the punishments will be severe and cold include high fines, jail time and a license suspension.
