CNYAPT

New York State transports 2.3 million children with more than 50,000 school buses to school every year. School buses are most likely to be on the road during a three hour window in the morning and a three hour window in the afternoon. These three hour windows are scheduled where, for the most part, they are at the same location at about the same time each school day. School buses are noted for typically traveling at lower rates of speed and making frequent stops.

When a school bus is preparing to stop, the driver will activate the yellow flashing lights at approximately 300 feet before the stop. At the stop the vehicle will be put into neutral or park with the parking brake set to open the door and activate the red flashing lights with the stop arm/stop sign being extended and flashing.

New York State law requires motorists to stop for school buses that are receiving or discharging passengers.

The driver of the vehicle must stop when they encounter a school bus in the process of loading or unloading students:

• on a public highway

• on multiple lane roads

• on opposite sides of divided highways

• on a public street

• on a private road

• in a parking lot

• on school property

The driver of the vehicle must stop from either direction.

The driver must also stop if the school bus has another bus in front of it to receive or discharge passengers.

TIPS FOR SHARING THE ROAD WITH SCHOOL BUSES:

• Remember buses make frequent stops. Be prepared to stop for them.

• Never pass a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing on the right or left.

• Watch for children who cross in front of the bus when the bus is stopped.

• Look for children at bus stops and those running to bus stops.

• By law school buses are required to stop at railroad crossings.

Please See Reverse Side for Penalties of Passing a Stopped School Bus

PENALTIES FOR ILLEGALLY PASSING STOPPED SCHOOL BUSES WITH ITS RED LIGHTS FLASHING ARE:

 

First Conviction

$250 - $400

5 points

Up to 30 days imprisonment

 

Second Conviction (within 3 Years)

$600 - $750

5 points

Up to 180 days Imprisonment

 

Third or subsequent Convictions (within 3 Years)

$750 - $1,000

5points

Up to 180 days Imprisonment

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