Did you know that drivers must stop when a stopped school bus flashes its red lights and extends the âSTOPâ sign?
Did you know that buses are now equipped with cameras to catch motorists who pass stopped school buses with extended âSTOPâ signs?
Below is information from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles drivers manual regarding school buses.
When a stopped school bus flashes its red light(s), traffic that approaches from either direction, even in front of the school and in school parking lots, must stop before it reaches the bus. You should stop at least 20 feet (6 m) away from the bus. You can identify this bus by a "SCHOOL BUS" sign, the red lights on the top, and its unique yellow orange color.
Before a school bus stops to load or discharge passengers, the driver will usually flash yellow warning lights which are located on the front and back of the bus near the roof. When you see them, decrease speed and be prepared to stop.
When you stop for a school bus, you cannot drive again until the bus starts moving again or when the bus driver or a traffic officer signals that you can proceed. This law applies on all roadways in New York State. You must stop for a school bus even if it is on the opposite side of a divided highway.
After you stop for a school bus, look for children along the side of the road. Drive slowly until you have passed them.
Safety Tip: Most school bus-related deaths and injuries occur while children cross the street after being discharged from the bus, not in collisions that involve school buses.
Remember that vehicles that transport people with disabilities can be equipped as school buses and you must stop for them as you would for other school buses.
The fine when you pass a stopped school bus ranges from a minimum of $250 for a first violation to a maximum of $1,000 for three violations in three years. If you are convicted of three of these violations in three years, your driver license will be revoked for a minimum of six months.
Vehicle Owners - A law was passed in 2019 that authorizes school districts and municipalities to use stop-arm cameras on school buses to impose penalties on the owners of vehicles which pass a school bus while the school bus is stopped for the purpose of dropping off or picking up passengers and red lights on the school bus are flashing.
- First violation - penalty of $250
- Second violation within 18 months - penalty of $275
- Third violation (or more) within 18 months - penalty of $300
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https://dmv.ny.gov/new-york-state-drivers-manual-and-practice-tests/chapter-6-passing
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