Back-to-School Warning: NY Drivers Could Face Hefty Fines for Passing School Buses

Back-To-School Season Is Here in New York State

Parents are loving it. Kids are hating it. No matter how you feel, Back-to-School season is here.

Many New York State public schools will start heading back the first week in September. Which means your commute to and from work may be a little longer due to the buses being back on the road.

Local law enforcement agencies are using this time before the school year stars to remind drivers of bus safety laws. You may be thinking that this is common sense and that all drivers would follow the rules of the road, especially with the children's safety in mind.

However, there have been many cases of drivers in New York almost striking a child getting on or off the bus.

READ MORE:  Poughkeepsie Driver Nearly Hits Child Exiting School Bus

A 12-year-old student was almost struck by a Poughkeepsie driver in Albany County. The driver narrowly missed the young student and it was all caught on camera. The driver was charged with reckless endangerment, reckless driving and endangering the welfare of a child.

We want to make sure that our students are safe even when they get on and off the school bus.

Operation Safe Stop: Keeping New York Students Safe on School Buses

In the next few weeks, you'll see local law enforcement sharing reminders of bus safety rules and regulations.

The Westchester County Police Department shared their reminder that all New York drivers could use.

In a social media post Westchester County PD writes "Here's reminder to please be alert for school buses and for children who are walking on local roads or crossing streets on their way to school."

They go further to breakdown what drivers should do when a school bus is stopped and the red lights are flashing.

When a school bus stops and flashes its red lights, traffic approaching from either direction must stop before reaching the bus:

• on a two-lane road

• on multi-lane highways

• on divided highways

If a driver fails to stop in any of these directions, hefty fines will be in said drivers future.

Fines For New York Drivers Who Don't Stop For Busses

In 2019 a law went into effect that, according to the Westchester County PD, authorizes school districts to use "stop-arm cameras on school buses."

These cameras are used to "impose penalties on the owners of vehicles that pass a school bus while the school bus is stopped for the purpose of dropping off or picking up passengers and red lights on the school bus are flashing."

If drivers are caught on camera passing school busses they can be ticketed and face fines.

For a drivers first violation they'll get fined $250, a second violation (within 18 months) gets a $275 penalty and a "Third violation (or more) within 18 months - penalty of $300."

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles has more information about the laws and safety tips which can be found at DMV.NY.ORG.