Operation Safe Stop Day highlights National School Bus Safety Week

NYAPT & partners urge drivers to stop for school buses

New York Association for Pupil Transportation Press Release

The New York Association for Pupil Transportation (NYAPT) is calling on all drivers to stop for school buses when red lights are flashing as part of Operation Safe Stop Day, taking place Wednesday, Oct. 22, during this year’s National School Bus Safety Week.

“Stop on red, our kids are ahead – that’s the Operation Safe Stop motto,” said David Christopher, executive director of NYAPT. “Operation Safe Stop is an annual reminder to motorists to be aware of school buses as they travel the highways transporting our nation’s most precious cargo. When you see a yellow bus on the highway, do not be distracted – give that bus your full attention because it will stop to pick up or discharge students, and when the red lights come on, you must stop! This includes on divided highways.”

Operation Safe Stop is a statewide education and enforcement initiative that promotes school bus safety and raises awareness about the dangers of illegally passing stopped school buses. The effort is supported by NYAPT; the New York State Governor's Traffic Safety Committee; the New York State Education Department; the New York State School Bus Contractors Association; the New York State Bus Distributors Association; the student transportation industry; and state, county, city and local law enforcement agencies.

The illegal passing of stopped school buses continues to be a serious problem in New York state. Stop-arm camera data, law enforcement observations, and state and national transportation surveys show thousands of violations occurring daily, each one endangering children as they board or exit their buses.

“The safety of students riding our school buses to and from school is our top priority, and we urge drivers to do their part by stopping for stopped school buses,” said Marc Medina, president of NYAPT and transportation director of the Farmingdale Union Free School District. “We ask the public to avoid distractions while driving, to be aware that school buses are on our roadways, and to stop when they see the red lights flashing on a school bus. Student lives depend on all motorists following the law.”

Under New York state vehicle and traffic law, drivers must come to a complete stop when approaching a stopped school bus with flashing red lights – whether traveling in the same or opposite direction, even on multi-lane or divided highways.

Penalties for illegally passing a stopped school bus include:

√ First offense: $250-$400 fine, 5 points on a driver’s license, and up to 30 days in jail.

√ Second offense within three years: $600-$750 fine and up to 180 days in jail.

√ Third or subsequent offense: $750-$1,500 fine and up to 180 days in jail.

For school districts and municipalities using stop-arm cameras, state law authorizes fines against the registered vehicle owner starting at $250 for the first violation and up to $300 for subsequent violations.

NYAPT Operation Safe Stop Committee Chair D’Allah Lafoon, transportation director at the Liverpool Central School District, also urged motorists to look out for children.

“Our children shouldn’t have to worry about motorists illegally passing a stopped school bus,” Lafoon said. “Slow down and watch for school buses. Stop when you see the red lights. It’s that simple!”