Operation Safe Stop Day was created to educate the motoring public that passing a stopped school bus is dangerous and illegal.
Held on Wednesday, the event is a combined effort between school personnel, school bus contractors and traffic safety organizations. For the past 25 years, the New York Association for Pupil Transportation has cooperated with the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and law enforcement agencies on this day.
More information on the day and access to an Operation Safe Stop Took Kit is available on the NYAPT website.
Today, local law enforcement will use marked and unmarked patrol cars to follow school buses and watch for drivers who violate the state law.
Today is #OperationSafeStop in many parts of the country including NYS, except Suffolk County? @SCPD1stPrecinct @SCPDHq imagine that dump truck running over my 6 y/o or losing control and slamming into the bus. Could have been a nice stop @SteveBellone @westbabylonsupt @News12LI pic.twitter.com/zBM3BlH26k
— Daniel McCarthy (@dmccarthy809) May 2, 2019
Many districts around New York are choosing to participate in Operation Safe Stop today by educating their community and students to hold press conferences and place information online about the dangers of illegally passing a school bus.
According to the NYAPT Safe Stop website, an estimated 50,000 motor vehicles illegally pass a New York State school bus every day.
This day calls on all motorists to do their part and keep the children of New York safe.
.@EICSD does such a great job in promoting student safety when getting on and off the bus. Today, the district hosted the statewide Operation Safe Stop event to reinforce the need for motorists to be alert and follow the law. pic.twitter.com/hktgA1SxNL
— Dave Seeley (@daveseeley430) May 2, 2019
Meanwhile, yesterday, three bills passed the N.Y. Senate regarding school bus safety and were delivered to the assembly for review.
SB 3558A would increase the penalties for overtaking and passing a school bus. The bill, sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy, would amend the vehicle and traffic laws and increase the fine amounts for passing a stopped school bus with its red lights illuminated.
SB 2960 would add a school bus safety component to the pre-licensing driver’s education course. The bill, sponsored by Anna M. Kaplan, would insert at least one question in the pre-licensing written exam, and include a school bus safety component in the driver’s education curriculum.
SB 4385 covers the comprehensive school bus driver safety training program. The bill, sponsored by Kevin S. Parker, would create a public education program to educate motorists on the dangers of passing a school bus.
