Orange County Sheriff’s Office to Participate in the Operation Safe Stop Campaign

The Orange County Sheriff's Office will participate in the Operation Safe Stop Campaign on April 21. 

According a press release, the Orange County Sheriff's Office will follow school buses on their routes and/or be in areas where most violations occur. Anybody who is observed passing a stop school bus will be stopped and ticketed. Deputies will also enforce speed restrictions within school zones.

The Operation Safe Stop Campaign is an initiative to promote school bus safety through education and enforcement efforts. Law enforcement officers across the state will participate in Operation Safe Stop.

During "Safe Stop", officers are on board buses, and in marked and unmarked patrol units on school bus routes that have a history of illegal passing complaints. New York State law requires motorists stop for school buses that are picking up, and dropping off passengers. This includes:

• On a public highway
• On multiple lane roads
• On opposite sides of divided highways
• On a public street
• On a private road
• In a parking lot
• On school property

The driver must stop from either direction. The first violation for illegally passing a school bus is $250 to $400 fine, 5 points on your license and/or possibly 30 days in jail.

The goal for this enforcement effort is to ensure safe transportation of our children to and from school.