CLARKSTOWN, NY – As National School Bus Safety Week gets underway, police across New York are warning drivers that too many motorists are ignoring one of the most basic traffic laws — stopping for school buses.
Officials say an estimated 50,000 vehicles illegally pass stopped school buses every day in the state.
Each violation, they warn, represents a potential tragedy.
Key Points
- About 50,000 vehicles pass stopped school buses daily in New York
- Police are conducting Operation Safe Stop to enforce school bus laws
- Drivers must stop for red flashing lights — no excuses, no exceptions
Police launch Operation Safe Stop
The Clarkstown Police Department joined departments statewide in Operation Safe Stop, an initiative focused on education and strict enforcement of school bus safety laws. Officers say drivers who ignore flashing red lights put children in immediate danger as they board or leave the bus.
Warnings and enforcement
Under state law, drivers must stop when a school bus displays flashing red lights, whether approaching from behind or the opposite direction. Yellow lights mean the bus is preparing to stop and drivers must slow down. Police are urging the public to treat every school bus stop as a zero-tolerance zone.
A call for awareness
Authorities stress that one careless decision behind the wheel can have devastating consequences. “Stop for the bus. Every time,” Clarkstown police said in a statement, reminding drivers that the safety of children depends on their attention and compliance.