I recently received a ticket for passing school bus. According to police officer i passed school bus when the stop arm was extended.
I don't argue that the stop arm was extended but I didn't see it. At the time I began passing the bus there were only yellow flashing lights. So probably the stop sign was extended right when I was passing it, therfore I could not see it. I understand that I should off just waited but I made a mistake.
I talked to one of the local bus drivers who told me that the stop sign arm is extended only if the doors are opened. I would never pass a bus with extended stop sign. But now I have a court date, and Im really worried.
Any suggestion, I really want to explain whole situation to the judge without a lawyer, since there was no intend on my part to pass intentionally bus with stop sign arm. Should I get a lawyer?
I don't argue that the stop arm was extended but I didn't see it. At the time I began passing the bus there were only yellow flashing lights. So probably the stop sign was extended right when I was passing it, therfore I could not see it. I understand that I should off just waited but I made a mistake.
I talked to one of the local bus drivers who told me that the stop sign arm is extended only if the doors are opened. I would never pass a bus with extended stop sign. But now I have a court date, and Im really worried.
Any suggestion, I really want to explain whole situation to the judge without a lawyer, since there was no intend on my part to pass intentionally bus with stop sign arm. Should I get a lawyer?