FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, October 14, 2004

 

Governor George E. Pataki proclaimed today, Thursday, October 14^th, "Operation Safe Stop Day", prompting law enforcement patrols across New York State to target motorists who fail to stop for school buses that have their red lights flashing.  For the eleventh straight year, law enforcement agencies will accompany school buses and ticket violators as part of the statewide patrol effort.

"The need to protect young children from aggressive drivers and preventable traffic injuries is especially urgent during the school year," Governor George E. Pataki's proclamation reads. "Motorists should prepare to stop whenever a school bus displays flashing yellow lights and when the bus lights flash red, vehicles must come to a complete stop, even on school grounds or divided highways."

Each school day, 2.3 million children are transported to and from school on New York State streets and highways.  On each of these days, it is estimated that up to 50,000 motorists illegally pass stopped school buses. In the last four years in New York State, motorists passing stopped school buses hit 35 students.

"We cannot allow thoughtless motorists to ignore traffic laws and endanger the lives of New York's school children," said Ken Carpenter, Executive Director of the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee,  "Operation Safe Stop serves as a reminder to all motorists that passing stopped school buses is a serious violation, punishable by fines and imprisonment."

The fine for failure to stop for a school bus displaying flashing red lights is $250 to $400 for a first conviction, plus possible imprisonment up to 30 days.  A second conviction within three years requires a fine of $600 to $750, plus possible imprisonment up to 180 days.  Third or subsequent conviction fines are $750 to $850, and up to 180 days in jail.

Patricia Bailey, New York Association for Pupil Transportation President, said,  "The public needs to understand how very dangerous it is to our children for them to pass a stopped school bus.  Children cross the street to get onto or get off their school bus believing that they are safe from harm.  It amazes our members that motorists so frequently pass our school buses and do so on both sides of the bus. We cannot keep that assurance of safety without cooperation and understanding from the men and women who share the roads with our school buses."

The Operation Safe Stop campaign features police officers accompanying school buses on their normal routes to remind drivers to stop for stopped school buses, and to cite those who fail to stop.  During last year's statewide patrol, more than 692 motorists were ticketed for passing stopped school buses and another 2,434 other motor vehicle citations were issued.

Madison County Sheriff Ronald I. Cary said, "Passing a stopped school bus that is displaying its red flashing lights carries not only legal consequences but unfortunately, the worst consequence of all could be the injury or death of a child, our most precious resource."

Operation Safe Stop is a combined education and enforcement effort of the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC), the state Departments of Education and Motor Vehicles, the Division of State Police, the Association of Chiefs of Police, the New York State Sheriffs Association, the New York State Association of Pupil Transportation, the New York State School Bus Contractors Association, local school districts, law enforcement agencies, and town, city and village agencies.

GTSC, comprised of 14 agencies, coordinates programs and research efforts to improve highway safety.