Breaking South Carolina's school bus law puts you, the children on the bus, and other drivers and pedestrians at high risk. Because of this, breaking South Carolina's school bus law carries stiff penalties. Even if you break the law by accident and get some leniency, there's still a major price to pay for doing so.

The first time you break the SC school bus law, you may receive a fine of no less than $1,000 but up to $2,000, as well as up to 20 days of community service. A second offense drives up the severity considerably. If you're convicted a second time of breaking the SC school bus law, you'll be hit with a fine of $2,000 to $5,000 dollars or imprisonment of anywhere from 30 to 60 days. Subsequent offenses could cost you your driver's license.

The risk of harming a pedestrian goes up when you try to get past a stopped bus. If a pedestrian is harmed in any way, you could face a fine of up to $10,000 and up to a year in prison. Depending on the severity, it's possible you could face a far steeper penalty than this.

Yes, school buses can cut into commute time a great deal. However, passing a school bus because you're in a rush isn't worth the trouble it causes. Stopping for a stopped school bus shouldn't just be about following a law. It's about keeping our streets, our children, and other drivers safe. We're all better off when we follow this law!