Law enforcement from across St. Lawrence County will participate in Operation Safe Stop April 27 in an effort to crack down on illegal passing of school buses.

Every day in New York between 40,000 and 50,000 children are put at risk by motorists who illegally pass stopped school buses.

The New York State Association for Pupil Transportation has been surveying drivers across the state that show staggering numbers of drivers who disregard the safety of children who are boarding or exiting the bus. That is why the St. Lawrence County Traffic Safety Program is promoting Operation Safe Stop Day.

On Operation Safe Stop Day, law enforcement assigns special patrols to monitor school zones and the most dangerous school bus routes. Officers may travel aboard school buses as well as patrol units. Law enforcement will issue tickets to drivers who pass stopped school buses or who commit other traffic violations.

The law states that it is illegal to pass a school bus that is stopped and has its red lights flashing. This means that the bus has stopped to pick up or discharge passengers. When the lights are flashing yellow, it is a warning to motorists to slow down as the bus prepares to stop. When the lights flash red and the stop arm is extended, drivers approaching the bus from either direction must stop. This is true even on multi-lane or divided highways, and on school grounds.

A first conviction for a violation of the school bus law 1174 can mean a fine of a minimum of two hundred fifty dollars and up to 30 days of imprisonment. In addition to fines and jail penalties, violators of the law will incur 5 license points for a first conviction.

The Traffic Safety Program also reminds motorists of the following tips to share the road with school buses:

• Plan a trip. Buses usually travel their routes at approximately the same time each day. Try leaving 15 minutes earlier, or look for another route to your destination if you find you are repeatedly getting “stuck” behind a school bus.

• Stay several yards back from the bus, and always be prepared to stop.

• Never pass a stopped school bus on the right.

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

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