Schools Start This Week Across The Hudson Valley: Watch For Buses

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — The school bus is one of the safest vehicles on the road, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.

Where children are at risk is when they're approaching or leaving a school bus. Illegal school bus passing poses a significant threat to children and others on the road, the NTSB said.

That's why in every state, it is illegal to pass a school bus while the stop-arm is extended and the red lights are flashing, according to the NTSB.

"We all must work together to make sure students get to school and back home safely," said Rockland County Executive Ed Day. "Never pass a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing; it’s illegal and means that students are getting on or off the bus. Traffic approaching from either direction must stop before reaching the bus. Remember, too, that yellow lights mean the bus is going to stop, so slow down!"

SEE: All Rockland Districts Opt Into School Bus Camera Program

Here are tips from the NTSB:

Parents - bus safety with your children

Your child should arrive at the bus stop at least 5 minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. Teach them to play it SAFE:

• Stay at least ten feet — five giant steps — away from the curb.
• Always wait until the bus comes to a complete stop and the bus driver signals for you to board.
• Face forward after finding a seat on the bus.
• Exit the bus after it stops and look left-right-left for cars before crossing a street.

Drivers - remember these simple rules

• Yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. You should slow down and prepare to stop your vehicle.
• Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate the bus has stopped and children are getting on or off. You must stop your car and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop-arm is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving, before you can start driving again.
• Even when lights aren’t flashing, watch for children, particularly in the morning or mid-afternoon, around school arrival and dismissal times. Be alert as you back out of a driveway, or drive through a neighborhood, school zone or bus stop.