The new school year is now in session in most, if not all, schools across the country. Many groups are issuing safety reminders for both students and motorists during this season. The New York School Bus Contractor’s Association is not only reminding drivers to use caution around school buses but also calling for harsher penalties for those who illegally pass stopped school buses.
“The start of every school year is always an extremely critical time for student safety, with drivers having to adjust rapidly to the influx of school buses on our roadways,” said Robert Pape, President of the New York School Bus Contractors Association. “We ask that drivers be fully aware of the children going back to school and come to a complete stop for any school bus that’s flashing its red lights.”
Earlier this year, during Operation Safe Stop, law enforcement officers issued citations to 1,000 drivers who illegally passed stopped school buses.
“When that many tickets are issued on a single day, during an announced traffic safety initiative, it’s obvious current penalties do not go far enough and we need to do more to keep our children safe,” said Pape. “This is why we continue to strongly support passage of student safety legislation sponsored by New York State Sen. Rich Funke”.
Funke’s bill, (S. 2978), would increase the range of fineable amounts from $250 to $400 and $400 to $750 for first-time offenders, from $600 to $750 and $950 to 1150 for second time offenders and from $750 to $1000 and $1150 to 1500 for a third offense committed within three years. State Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski sponsored the bill in the state assembly.
The bill also requires that a motorist who injures another person while illegally passing a school bus be charged with aggravated vehicular assault. If the motorist kills someone during the incident, the bill requires a criminally negligent homicide charge.
The New York State Senate passed the bill during the 2015 legislative session but stalled in the Transportation Committee. In order to pass into law, the bill would need both Senate and Assembly approval.
“Children being transported by school buses deserve to know they are safe, especially when entering or exiting their bus,” said Sen. Funke. “The law is clear: when you see a school bus’s red flashing lights, you must stop, no matter where on the roadway the bus is. Sadly, far too many people ignore the law and put our children at risk each and every day. My legislation would crack-down with stiffer penalties and make lawbreakers think twice before they choose to put our kids in danger.”
