State Police Take Part in Operation Safe Stop

Through Friday, October 24th, is National School Bus Safety Week and part of this week, State Police joined school buses on both their morning and afternoon routes to ensure motorists are obeying the red flashing lights.

According to the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, it is estimated that 50,000 motorists in the state illegally pass a school bus everyday. The initiative works to promote school bus safety through both education and enforcement efforts.

X101 News had the privilege to ride-along with the New York State Police on Wednesday morning in the Marathon Central School District. Thankfully, all motorists were seen obeying the law for stopped school buses. State Police followed a school bus on its morning route along Route 221 Harford and Route 200. Marathon Schools Transportation Supervisor Karl Morsey, expressed his gratitude for State Police taking part in Operation Safe Stop. He noted that his drivers typically don’t see motorists ignore the red flashing lights, except for the area around the high school. He did add though the district has seen constant support from local law enforcement. Bus drivers in the district are able to quickly report any motorist who passes illegally; some buses are also equipped with cameras.

State Police say in Zone 3 of Troop C, which covers Cortland, Tompkins, and Tioga Counties, so far in 2025, 4 people have been ticketed for illegally passing a school bus. In 2024, 7 were ticketed and in 2023, 4.

Fines for motorists who illegally pass a school bus are between $250 and $400 for a first time offense, and 5 points on your license. A second offense within three years increases the fine between $600 and $750; a third offense and those thereafter within three years can see fines range between $750 and $1,000. Motorists also risk imprisonment; up to 30 days for the first offense and up to 180 days after a second offense.