If you see a stopped school bus on your way into work today, make sure you pull over. Police agencies across New York State will be out in full force for Operation Safe Stop, a program designed to protect children riding on school buses.
North Syracuse Police Officer Jeff Tripp says drivers need to pay closer attention when they see a school bus out on the road.
"We want people to slow down, we want them to pay attention, concentrate on the road and not talk on their cell phone, do their makeup or eat their food while driving on their way to work. Pay attention for the kids' sake. We don't want these kids getting hurt," Tripp says.
Police officers will be on board school buses and in marked and unmarked patrol cars on selected bus routes that have a history of illegal passing problems.
Every day nearly 50,000 cars illegally pass stopped school buses. In the last four years, 35 students were hit by drivers passing stopped school buses in New York.
It happened locally in May of 2004. Mallory Eddy was just 8-years-old when she was hit and killed while stepping off her school bus.
Madison County Sheriff's deputies say the young girl was getting off a stopped Stockbridge Valley School bus on North Peterboro Road in Smithfield when she was hit.
Police want to make sure that doesn't happen again.
"This campaign is designed to help raise awareness of the dangers and the severity of passing a stopped school bus," said State Police Major Christopher Cummings. "Passing a stopped school bus poses a grave danger to children as they enter and exit the school bus."
Remember, it is illegal to pass a stopped school bus when the large red lights on the top of the bus are flashing. That means the bus is picking up or letting students off. You must stop whether you are in front of or behind the bus. You even have to stop for school busses stopped on school grounds.
If you are caught passing a stopped school bus, you will face a fine of $250 to $400 and five points on your license. You could even face 30 days in jail. The penalties are even stiffer for multiple convictions. Click here for more details.
Do you know the rules when it comes to stopped school buses? Have you ever passed one? Do you think there's more police or schools can can do to keep kids safe? Leave your thoughts below.
