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School Zone Violators Face Significant California Penalties

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California drivers unwilling to obey simple driving procedures during back-to-school time should prepare to pay a hefty price. The average cost for disobeying a California school crossing guard's direction is $282 according to an Allstate Insurance Company back-to-school survey of traffic courts across the state. Also this fall, the average cost for passing a school bus flashing its warning lights is $681.

"Back to school time means it's time to remain attentive behind the wheel," say Phil Telgenhoff, Field Vice President of the insurance company in California. "Getting caught will cost a lot. So slow down in school zones—not for fear of getting a ticket, but for the safety of children."

The basic fine for these violations is standard across the state--$50 for disobeying a crossing guard and $150 for passing a school bus flashing its warning signals. But additional fees vary and make total costs much higher.

For example, in San Francisco County the fine for passing a school bus flashing its signals has fees and surcharges that make it cost $680. In Ventura County, the costs are comparable while in Calaveras County it's a $589 charge, and in Mendocino County it's a whopping $855.

Identical to illegally passing a school bus, disobeying a school crossing guard will put one point on a California driver's license. And the fine grows to $280 total costs for the violation in Santa Clara County, and $290 in Santa Barbara County.

California Superior Courts in the county where the violation occurs ultimately decide how much a driver pays in fines and fees associated with school zone violations.

Five Ways to Avoid Fines:
  • Drive cautiously in school zones.
  • Even if you don't have kids, learn the school zones on your routine routes to work and when running errands.
  • Watch for children walking in streets, especially where there are no sidewalks. Be wary of parked vehicles where children can dart from between.
  • Where there are school buses there are children. Be alert around bus stops.
  • Drive defensively and obey traffic signs and crossing guards.
To gather the data, the company surveyed California Superior Courts and their 2012 Uniform Fee & Bail Schedules. The fines, total costs, and points listed are relative to first offense. Recurring offenses generally increase base fines and total costs significantly.

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