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It is National School Bus Safety Week this week and the NYDMV and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee are reminding motorists to stop when they see a school bus with their red flashing lights on and “stop” signs deployed.
“School buses are the safest way to transport students to and from school,” said GTSC Chair and DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder. “Parents and caregivers should feel confident that every child will be safe getting on and off the school bus. New York State has a zero-tolerance policy for anyone that passes a stopped school bus. We count on drivers to do the right thing and keep children safe by stopping and waiting.”
Driver’s who pass a stopped school bus illegally are subject to be ticketed and face fines and other penalties. Those fines can range from $250 for a first offense to $1,000 for a third offense in three years. On top of a fine, motorists could receive jail time up to 30 days for a first violation and up to 180 days for a second and third offense.
Three violations in three years your drivers license will be suspended for a minimum of six months. A conviction of unlawfully passing a school bus while it is stopped to get or let off passengers will also result in 5 points on your drivers.
According to the New York Association for Pupil Transportation (NYAPT), nearly 50,000 motorists pass stopped school buses with their red flashing lights statewide each school day.
