Monthly Column Rules of the Road When it Comes to School Bus Safety

'Do not pass a stopped school bus- it's the law'

As summer winds down and a new school year approaches, the familiar sight of yellow school buses will soon return to Erie County's roads. For more than 116,000 students, the school day begins and ends with a ride on a school bus. For some children, this will be their very first experience riding the bus. For others, it is a routine they know well-but one that can still become dangerous when excitement, distraction or simply a moment of carelessness gets in the way.

Every year, children are injured and, tragically, some lose their lives because motorists fail to stop for school buses. According to New York State's Traffic Safety Committee, approximately 50,000 vehicles illegally pass stopped school buses each day across the state. This staggering figure equates to roughly 9 million illegal passings over the course of a standard 180-day school year.

Every illegal pass has the potential to change a family's life forever. As drivers, we all have a responsibility to protect our youngest passengers by following the rules of the road and stopping when a school bus is loading or unloading children.

New York State law is straightforward. When a school bus displays yellow flashing lights, the driver is preparing to stop to load or unload students. Motorists should slow down and be prepared to stop. When the bus stops and its red lights are flashing and stop arm is extended, motorists must stop.

Drivers must remain stopped at least 20 feet from the bus and may proceed only after the red lights have stopped flashing, the stop arm has been withdrawn and the bus begins moving. This applies to traffic approaching the bus from either direction-including on two-lane roads, multi-lane highways and divided highways.

The consequences for ignoring these rules are significant. A first conviction for illegally passing a stopped school bus can result in a fine of $250 to $400, up to 30 days in jail, and escalates its penalties, adding 5 to 8 points onto a driver's license for a standard police-issued conviction. Insurance costs may also increase. Three convictions within three years can result in a driver's license revocation for a minimum of six months.

But the most important consequence cannot be measured in dollars, points or penalties: a child could be seriously injured or killed.

Here in Erie County, additional technology is being used to help protect students. Buffalo Public Schools has implemented a stop-arm enforcement program, with cameras mounted on school bus stop arms to capture vehicles that illegally pass stopped buses. The program strengthens enforcement of laws already on the books and serves as another reminder to motorists: when the bus stops, you stop.

Parents also play an important role in keeping children safe. Before school begins, take a few minutes to review basic bus safety with your children. Remind them to stay at least three giant steps-about six feet-from the curb while waiting. They should never approach the bus until it has come to a complete stop, the doors have opened and the driver indicates that it is safe to board.

Children should also understand the bus's "danger zone"-the area immediately surrounding the vehicle where the driver may have limited visibility. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, children face their greatest risk not while riding the bus, but while getting on and off. They need to remain alert, follow the driver's instructions and never run around or behind the bus.

For motorists, the message is just as simple: slow down, put the phone away, eliminate distractions and watch carefully for children.School buses make frequent stops, and children may not always behave predictably. Give yourself extra time, especially in school zones and residential neighborhoods.

As we welcome students back to classrooms across Erie County, let's make safety our shared responsibility. Getting to school should be the beginning of a child's day-not the end of it.

When you see the yellow bus, slow down. When you see the red lights and stop arm, stop. Every child deserves to arrive at school safely and return home safely.