Operation Safe Stop On Thursday Will Highlight School Bus Safety In NY

ALBANY, NY — Child transportation advocates from the New York Association for Pupil Transportation are calling on motorists to stop for school buses — as state law requires — during Operation Safe Stop Day this Thursday.

The statewide organization, which works to improve transportation for school children, will have its chapters highlight the state law mandating that drivers stop when they see flashing red lights on a school bus, regardless of whether there is a multi-lane or divided highway, according to a news release.

Operation Safe Stop Day is an annual public awareness event that promotes school bus safety and educates the public about the dangers of illegally passing a stopped school bus when its red lights are flashing, according to officials. Law enforcement will be out in force following school buses and issuing tickets to drivers who illegally pass them on Thursday.

Penalties for a first-time offense include a fine of $250 to $400, five license points and the possibility of 30 days in jail. A second conviction within three years can result in a $600 to $750 fine and up to 180 days in jail, and three or more convictions will result in a fine from $750 to $1,000, a mandatory driver's license revocation, and up to 180 days in jail.

School districts and municipalities choosing to use automatic ticketing stop arm cameras on buses are allowed to fine the owner of a car $250 for a first violation and up to $300 for subsequent violations, officials said.

This year’s Operation Safe Stop is supported by NYAPT, along with the state Governor's Traffic Safety Committee, Education Department, School Bus Contractors Association, and Bus Distributors Association, the student transportation industry and state, county, city, and local law enforcement agencies.

NYAPT Executive Director David Christopher said, "Stop on red, our kids are ahead" is Operation Safe Stop's motto.

“While the main focus is to remind drivers to stop for stopped school buses so we can keep our school children safe, it is important to note that law enforcement across the state will be out in force following yellow school buses and issuing tickets to those drivers who violate the law," he added.

An estimated 50,000 New York drivers illegally pass stopped school buses daily, according to NYAPT’s statewide surveys.

NYAPT president Ted Nugent, transportation director at Coxsackie-Athens School District,said, “Keeping children safe when they take the school bus to and from school each day is our top priority and we urge drivers to do their part to keep our students safe."

“We ask the public to avoid all distractions while driving, to be aware of school buses that are on our roadways, and to always stop when they see those red lights flashing on a school bus," he said, adding, "Student lives depend on all drivers following the law.”

NYAPT Executive Director David Christopher said that children have many worries and traveling safely to school shouldn’t be one of them."

"So please slow down and watch for school buses either stopping or about to stop," he said. "Don’t be one of the 50,000 drivers in New York who threaten a child’s life each day by illegally passing a stopped school bus.”