Eric Skager Law stands up for the rights of people in High Point when they get a traffic ticket. Of all the different infractions you might get punished for, failing to stop for a school bus is one of the easiest to avoid. School buses are everywhere during the school year. Whether it’s along Main Street during the morning rush, out by Skeet Club Road near the neighborhoods, or on the smaller streets by schools like Southwest Guilford or Oak View Elementary, these stops can catch you off guard. We can help you with what comes next. Set up a consultation today to talk through your options.
Should I Get a Lawyer?
You’re not required to hire a lawyer for a failure-to-stop ticket in High Point, but having one can save you stress and help you avoid long-term consequences. What might feel like a split-second mistake—missing the bus lights near High Point Central High or not realizing you needed to stop on a divided road—can come with steep fines, license points, and higher insurance rates. Here’s how my firm can help:
- Clear guidance – We’ll walk you through what happens next so you know exactly where you stand.
- Investigating what happened – We also look into everything that’s available–photos, dashcam video, witness statements, and anything else–to show what really happened.
- Digging into the officer’s report – A big part of what we do is to fill in gaps or overlooked details in the police report and citation that could work in your favor.
- Handling the details – From court dates to paperwork, we take care of the process so you can focus on moving forward.
From start to finish, our focus is on making this process less overwhelming and working toward the best possible outcome for you. And that starts with getting the right information and evidence.
What Evidence Can I Use to Defend Myself Against a Failure to Stop for a School Bus Ticket?
It doesn’t take much for a school bus stop situation to turn confusing. Maybe traffic is stacked up on Eastchester Drive, a bus’s stop arm blends into the sun glare on Skeet Club Road, or another car in front of you blocks your view. Even when you’re trying to do the right thing, these split-second situations can lead to a ticket. At that point, it’s about getting the right evidence and information that can help you:
- Photos or video of the road – A picture can go a long way. If you were on Kivett Drive where the curve blocks your view, or near Lexington Avenue where the hill makes it tough to see the flashing lights, showing the judge what the road actually looks like can explain why you didn’t notice the bus right away.
- Video footage – Footage doesn’t lie. If you have a dashcam or some other type of video footage that shows the stop arm coming out late, traffic already moving, or another car blocking your view, that can give the court a clearer picture than just the officer’s notes.
- Witness statements – Sometimes it helps to have another voice backing you up. A passenger in your car or even someone nearby could explain what they saw—like how hard it was to see the bus or how traffic unfolded in those few seconds.
- Weather reports – We all know how High Point weather can change in a heartbeat. Fog, heavy rain, or that blinding sun glare can make it nearly impossible to see the bus’s signals. Being able to point to the weather that day gives context to your situation.
- Road design issues – Not every road is straightforward. On divided streets like parts of Main, it’s easy to misunderstand whether you’re supposed to stop. Showing that the layout itself was confusing helps explain why you reacted the way you did.
The bottom line is this: evidence tells your story in a way that goes beyond “your word versus the ticket.” It helps the judge see what you saw—and sometimes, what you couldn’t see at all.
What Does the Law Say About Stopping For a School Bus in High Point?
Even if it was a split-second mistake, a school bus ticket isn’t treated lightly—it sets off a legal process that can carry steep penalties. Under North Carolina law, drivers have to:
- Stop for school buses that are picking up or dropping off children and have their stop arm extended with flashing red lights.
This applies on most roads, whether you’re behind the bus or coming from the opposite direction. There are only a few exceptions:
- If you’re on a divided highway with a median separating you from the bus, traffic going the opposite way doesn’t have to stop.
- On a four-lane road with a center turn lane (like parts of Main Street in High Point), only the traffic behind the bus must stop; oncoming traffic may continue.
Obviously, the law treats this type of infraction pretty seriously. If you’re ticketed for not stopping for a school bus, you can expect to face:
- Heavy fines, up to $500
- Five points on your license
- Insurance increases
- Possible license suspension if it happens again
Given the potential seriousness of this type of infraction, you have to think about what you can do if you are stopped and ticketed.
How Should I Handle a Failure to Stop for a School Bus Ticket?
Getting pulled over for not stopping for a school bus can feel overwhelming. It’s not just another traffic ticket—North Carolina treats these cases seriously because they involve keeping children safe. That said, what you do after getting the ticket can make a big difference. Here are a few steps to keep in mind:
- Review your ticket carefully – Look over the violation code, the fine listed, and any court dates or deadlines. Knowing the details up front helps you understand exactly what’s at stake.
- Pay attention to deadlines – Ignoring your ticket or missing the response window can lead to bigger problems, like extra fines or even a suspended license.
- Decide what you want to do – You always have a choice—you can pay the ticket if you agree with it, or you can contest it in court if you believe the officer got it wrong or there were circumstances worth explaining.
- Think about evidence – For school bus tickets, evidence can be the difference between paying heavy penalties and clearing things up. If you feel like you have strong proof, it might be worth fighting the ticket.
Every case is a little different. Sometimes drivers are caught off guard by confusing road designs on streets like Main or Eastchester. Other times, poor visibility plays a role. Whatever the situation, staying organized and proactive gives you a much better chance at managing the outcome—and avoiding the long-term costs of points, fines, and higher insurance.
Eric Skager Law Can Help With a School Bus Ticket in High Point
A ticket for not stopping for a school bus in High Point isn’t just a minor traffic issue—it can come with steep fines, points on your license, and a big jump in your insurance rates. On top of that, these cases carry extra weight because they involve children’s safety.
You don’t have to handle it on your own. At Eric Skager Law, we take the time to review what really happened—whether the bus’s stop arm wasn’t visible until the last second, traffic was confusing on a divided road, or poor visibility played a role. From there, we’ll explain your options, gather the evidence that supports your side, and guide you through the court process so you’re not left guessing.
If you’ve been cited for failing to stop for a school bus in High Point, let’s talk through your situation and the best way forward.