Operation Safe Stop Aims to Protect Students and Buses

On May 2, the Onondaga County Sheriff's Department and the Pupil Transportation Safety Institute helped kick off “Operation Safe Stop” at the LaFayette Central School District. This statewide initiative aims to help better protect students by cutting down on incidents of drivers passing school buses that have their “stop” sign deployed. 

It is estimated that a staggering 50,000 New York State motorists pass stopped school bus signs each day. A day before Operation Safe Stop was announced, new legislation was put into motion that will greatly increase the penalties for passing a stopped school bus sign. These include up to $400 in fines and, possibly, jail time.

Furthermore, law enforcement statewide (in both marked and unmarked patrol cars) will begin shadowing school buses in heavier traffic areas, in an attempt to identify drivers passing a stopped school bus sign. 

To learn more about Operation Safe Stop, check out the News Channel 9 video below.