The start of school is just around the corner and New York lawmakers are calling for Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign a recently passed law increasing penalties for not abiding by stopped school bus rules.
The NY Senate and Assembly both passed a new law amending New York’s vehicle and traffic law to increase penalties for the violation of overtaking and passing a stopped school bus. The law has been sent to Governor Hochul awaiting a signature.
Every state in the United States requires that when a school bus driving in front of you stops to load or unload students, you do not pass it. Compliance with the law varies widely and to incentivize compliance, New York lawmakers are looking to increase penalties for violations.
Laws vary across the country on when drivers must stop for a school bus and whether they have to stop if the bus is on the opposite side of the road. But, in New York State all traffic–in both directions–must stop for a stopped school bus, no matter the size of the road.
When the kids get on and off the school bus, it’s always best to exercise extreme caution. They are kids after all and can be unpredictable. In New York, you must stop 20 feet away from a stopped school bus, even if it is on the other side of a divided highway. Wait until the bus’ red lights stop flashing to proceed.
Senator Jeremy Cooney (D-WF-56), sponsor of the bill, says, “Creating a safe environment for our children to learn starts with getting them safely to and from school,” he said. “That’s why I was proud that my bill passed to increase penalties for drivers who pass stopped school buses on the side of the road. I encourage Governor Hochul to sign this bill into law and ensure New York is doing all it can to encourage drivers to follow the rules of the road and keep our students and bus drivers safe.”
If signed, for a first conviction you could get a fine of $250-400, up to 30 days in jail, or both. A second violation, if committed within three years of the first, you will get a fine of $600-750, up to 180 days in jail, or both. A third conviction within three years yields a fine of $1000-1500, up to 180 days in prison, or both.
“This, we hope will raise greater awareness in the motoring public to stop for the school bus, there is no excuse for passing a stopped school bus,” said David Christopher, executive director of the New York Association for Pupil Transportation.