New Hampton, Iowa – With school back in session, area law enforcement agencies are cracking down and reminding motorists to be vigilant when driving through school zones.
New Hampton Police Chief Zach Nosbisch (NOS-bish) says the best advice he can give is to slow down and look.
Some motorists may be confused when to stop or slow down as a school bus is picking up or unloading students.
Nosbisch says the law requires you to stop in a two-lane road.
He added it’s more complicated involving four-lane roads and turning lanes, but motorists should check the Iowa DOT website for clarification.
And if you blow through the stop sign next to a school bus, there’s a penalty.
Another safety concern in school areas according to Nosbisch are crosswalks, stop signs and stop lights.
He says it may be hard to identify a crossing guard in one of those areas.
According to Nosbisch, the busiest times for schools are usually during the morning hours as students are trying to beat the morning bell.
