The most important mission for Student Transportation Services is the safety of every student who rides a school bus or activity bus.  In order to ensure each student has a safe ride, the student code of conduct applies to all students while at the bus stop, on the school bus or on any Berkeley County School District (BCSD) vehicle. Inappropriate behavior will be treated with the same level of scrutiny as inappropriate behavior in the classroom and will lead to appropriate school consequences in accordance with the Student Behavior Code and includes suspension from bus riding.  In addition to the Student Behavior Code, students must also follow the Safety Rules listed below.    

SECTION 56-5-2780. Penalties for unlawfully passing a stopped school bus.

(A) A driver of a vehicle violating Section 56-5-2770 (A) or (C) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, or forfeiture of bail for a first offense must be fined not less than $500.00 or imprisoned not more than 30 days. In lieu of imprisonment, the court may require that the individual complete an appropriate term of community service of not fewer than 10 days upon terms and conditions the court considers proper. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a first offense for a violation of Section 56-5-2770 (A) or (C) may be tried in magistrate's court. Upon conviction, entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, or forfeiture of bail for a second or subsequent violation of Section 56-5-2770 (A) or (C), a person is guilty of a misdemeanor and must be fined not less than $2,000.00 or more than $5,000.00 or imprisoned for not fewer than 30 days and not more than 60 days.

(B) If a driver of a vehicle violates Section 56-5-2770 (A) or (C), and the violation proximately causes great bodily injury or death to a pedestrian, the person is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, or forfeiture of bond, the person must be:

(1) fined not less than $5,000.00 or more than $10,000.00 and imprisoned for not less than 60 days or more than 1 year when great bodily injury results;

(2) fined not less than $10,000.00 or more than $25,000.00 and imprisoned for not less than 1 year or more than 5 years when death results.

As used in this subsection, "great bodily injury" means bodily injury which creates a substantial risk of death or which causes serious, permanent disfigurement or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.

The Department of Motor Vehicles shall suspend the driver's license of a person who is convicted or who receives a sentence upon a plea of guilty or nolo contendere pursuant to this subsection for the term of imprisonment plus 1 year.