School Bus Safety In Montclair; Cops Tell Drivers To Be Aware

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Do you stop for school buses with flashing lights in Montclair? You may be surprised to find out how many people don’t, police say.

In recognition of National School Bus Safety Week, which begins Monday, the Montclair Police Department has been hosting outreach events and raising awareness about the need for extra precautions when sharing the road with school buses.

Over a six-month period last year, officers gave out 175 traffic summonses for failing to halt for a stopped school bus… nearly a ticket a day.

It’s a recurring issue that has prompted local police to begin following school buses in search of potential violators. After last year's effort, the Montclair Police Traffic Bureau worked all summer with the Montclair Board of Education and the New Jersey Department of Highway Traffic Safety to shift its School Bus Safety Awareness Campaign into high gear.

That campaign continues in Montclair, police stated last week.

On Saturday, the Montclair Police Department helped to spearhead a public event at Applegate Farm Ice Cream to help spread the word. Officers handed out literature on the dangers and consequences of passing a stopped school bus. While interacting with customers, they also handed out coupons for a free ice cream cone to attending children, courtesy of Applegate Farm.

• See related article: Drivers Fail To Stop For School Bus Almost Daily In Montclair, Cops Say
• See related article: Montclair Cops Safeguard School Buses; Traffic Campaign Returns

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