Keeping Rockland Students Safe When Going Back To School

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — The new school year is almost upon us, and Rockland County wants drivers to be on the alert for children walking to school and buses taking students to their classes.

County officials said that every day in New York an estimated 50,000 drivers illegally pass stopped school buses, putting the lives and safety of children at risk.

Rockland has partnered with the company BusPatrol to launch a violator-funded business allowing school districts to equip their buses with cameras on the bus stop arms at no cost.

Six school districts have officially opted into the Rockland County School Bus Safety program, including Pearl River, Nanuet, North Rockland, Clarkstown, Suffern and Nyack.

Drivers caught by those cameras illegally passing activated stop-arms on school buses will then be issued the following penalties by mail: first violation, $250; second, $275, and third, $300, within an 18-month period.

Rockland County Executive Ed Day said that a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing means that students are getting on or off the bus.

“Traffic approaching from either direction must stop before reaching the bus,” he said. “Not only will you make the roads much safer for our students, but you will avoid a hefty fine.”

Day added that yellow lights mean the bus is going to stop, so motorists should slow down.

Rockland’s Department of Health wants to remind students and drivers to follow additional school bus safety tips from the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

School bus safety tips for drivers:

• Be alert and watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in the neighborhood. Look for children at bus stops, those running to bus stops and children who cross in front of the bus when the bus is stopped. Children arriving late for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic.
• School buses make frequent stops and typically travel at slower speeds. Be patient, slow down, and be prepared to stop for them. School buses must stop at railroad crossings by law, so be ready to stop at railroad crossings if driving behind a school bus.
• Be distraction-free. Never use electronic devices while driving; actively focus on the road and your surroundings.

School bus safety tips for students:

• Arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus arrives. Wait for the bus at least 10 feet, five giant steps, away from the curb. The bus stop is not a place to run or play.
• When the school bus arrives, wait until it comes to a complete stop, the door opens and the driver says it's OK to get on. Use the handrails to avoid falling.
• When getting off the bus, take five giant steps straight out the bus door and out of the danger zone (areas around buses where the driver can't see you). Make sure you make eye contact with the driver and wait for the driver to signal you before you cross in front of the bus. Never walk behind a school bus or bend down near or under the bus. Don't go back for anything you have left on the bus.
• Listen to your bus driver in case there are any special instructions for your bus ride. Be sure to sit quietly in your seat and limit distractions.