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Two-thirds of passing school bus infractions in county survey were in Massena and Potsdam

Posted 4/7/15

Two-thirds of the infractions for passing a stopped school bus in St. Lawrence County were in Massena and Potsdam, according to recent tracking throughout the area. The two towns are also the two …

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Two-thirds of passing school bus infractions in county survey were in Massena and Potsdam

Posted

Two-thirds of the infractions for passing a stopped school bus in St. Lawrence County were in Massena and Potsdam, according to recent tracking throughout the area.

The two towns are also the two largest communities in the study.

Meanwhile, as Operation Safe Stop Day approaches, targeted enforcement will take place on that day, Thursday, April 16, according to St. Lawrence County traffic officials.

The North Chapter of the New York State Association for Pupil Transportation recently took a three-day survey of school district bus routes. Among drivers surveyed, there were 40 reports of illegal bus passing by motorists.

According to Frank Barney, vice president of the North Zone of the New York State Association of Pupil Transportation, “These results are only the numbers reported during the period. In reality, the number of illegal passes on a given day may be much higher.”

To help address these risks, state and local agencies dedicate a day during the school year to educate the public about the laws that apply to school buses.

Operation Safe Stop includes targeted enforcement as well as public information about the laws pertaining to school buses.

Police agencies will dedicate enforcement patrols to monitor trouble spots along bus routes, as well as areas near school zones. They are ready to issue tickets to drivers who pass stopped school buses or who commit other traffic violations.

The St. Lawrence County Traffic Safety Program is reminding motorists about the law for safety near school buses:

• 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, drivers must stop, whether they are approaching the school bus from the front, or overtaking it from the rear.

• This law applies even on multi-lane or divided highways, and on school grounds.

Vehicles transporting Head Start children are considered to be school buses under the law. When their red lights are activated, motorists are required to stop for them as they would for large yellow school buses.

“Head Start vehicles must remain stationary until all passengers are properly secured in child restraints, as required by law. This process may take several minutes,. said St. Lawrence County Head Start Transportation Coordinator Terry Reilley.

A first conviction for a violation can mean a fine and up to 30 days of imprisonment. In addition to fines and jail penalties, violators of the law will incur 5 license points.