HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — HUNTSVILLE, AL – School is back in session, and if your commute takes you through school zones, a simple detour could shave minutes from your drive.
The Huntsville Police Department (HPD) is working to ease traffic near Morris Elementary and Morris Middle schools on Bob Wallace Avenue. Drivers who currently travel I-565 eastbound and use exit 15 are encouraged to use exit 17A for Jordan Lane as an alternate route during school drop-off hours of 7:15-8:05 a.m. and pick-up hours of 2:20-3:30 p.m.
To report driver concerns or violations contact Huntsville Police at 256-722-7100. Be prepared to give specific information such as location, car description and direction of travel.
School buses are a common sight as students head to school and when their stop sign comes out, in almost every case, that means you must stop your vehicle.
Rosalind White, a police sergeant with Huntsville Police shares, "We want everyone to be mindful that traffic is going to be a lot heavier as schools and students start crossing the roadways and things of that nature and so also riding the bus. Alabama law requires everybody to stop for any school bus that stops on the roadway when their sign is extended and their flashing lights are activated."
She says there is one exception to this stopping rule, a raised median.
"The only exception applies if there's a four lane highway but there must be a divider that separates the opposing lanes in which you must not stop but if there is a two lane highway or anything of that nature you are required to stop for it and following the bus."
These medians can look like raised concrete, grass, or anything that fully divides opposing lanes.
If you decide to pass a stopped bus illegally, "you could be fined or face a suspended license with community service."
