'Death Zone': What To Know About Passing School Buses In WA

SEATTLE, WA - Most schools in Washington will be in session after the Labor Day holiday weekend (pending negotiations over teacher pay). That means drivers need to remember to follow a few rules of the road after a summer without them.

Forgetting those rules — and being caught doing so — could carry stiff penalties for motorists or, even worse, cause a serious accident.

When it comes to buses, school zones and safety, some of the biggest concerns happen when cars and buses aren't even moving. Kids run the greatest risk of being hurt when they're standing at the bus stop, according to the Illinois State Board of Education. In fact, most children between the ages of 5 to 7 are injured or killed while they're getting on and off the bus, and they enter an area the board of education has ominously labeled the "death zone."

Here's what you need to know — and what you should do — when you see a bus stopped with its flashing lights and extended stop-sign arm, or you are driving by a school. (iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

Passing a Stopped School Bus

The Law: In Washington, all lanes of traffic in both directions must stop when a school bus is stopped to pick up or drop off kids. However, this does not apply to divided roads and highways. Only drivers traveling in the same direction as the school bus have to stop on divided roadways.

The Penalty: State law allows a fine double the standard limit up to $500. Half the fine goes to the state's school safety zone account.

Speeding in a School Zone

The Law: Under state law, the speed limit for all school zones is 20 MPH, regardless of what the speed is for the road the school is on. But that limit is only in effect during school hours when school is in session.

The Penalty: Fines can be as high as $234. Many school districts around the state have installed cameras in school zones, which means you can get a ticket even if police don't see you speeding.

Patch reporter Joe Vince contributed to this report

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