MENU
SEARCHTransportation officials, police officers and other leaders in New York hold events to publicize the dangers of illegally passing stopped school buses.
Brighton (N.Y.) Police Chief Mark Henderson speaks about the illegal passing of school buses at a NYAPT press conference in Rochester on Thursday.
School transportation officials, police chiefs and other leaders throughout New York held events on Thursday to promote school bus safety as part of Operation Safe Stop.
New York’s annual Operation Safe Stop informs the public of the dangers of illegally passing stopped school buses.
On Thursday, law enforcement agencies across the state targeted school bus routes that have a history of illegal passing complaints. Police officers rode on buses and in marked and unmarked patrol units to catch violators and issue tickets.
All violations were reported to a central command post so that the numbers could be made available to state and local officials and the media. Members of the media were also invited to ride along and cover Operation Safe Stop in their areas.
The New York Association for Pupil Transportation (NYAPT) held a press conference about illegal school bus passing at the East Irondequoit Central School District in Rochester on Thursday morning.
School district, law enforcement and government officials were on hand to address “this serious and life-threatening problem,” NYAPT said in a press release.
NYAPT members held Operation Safe Stop events around the state, many with high-profile dignitaries participating. In the capital area, for example, a Safe Stop event drew a county executive, law enforcement officials and members of the New York State Legislature.
On average, NYAPT estimates that 50,000 vehicles illegally pass school buses each day in New York state. According to a recent sample completed by NYAPT on April 14, 422 school bus drivers reported 170 illegal passing incidents.
The breakdown of the total number of incidents recorded is:
Left side illegal passes during morning runs: 63
Left side illegal passes during afternoon runs: 103
Right side illegal passes during morning runs: 0
Right side illegal passes during afternoon runs: 4
Expanding that sample statewide, an estimated 20,142 illegal passes occurred on that date, setting the stage for Operation Safe Stop Day, said Peter Mannella, executive director of NYAPT.
Penalties for a first offense include a fine of $250 to $400, five points on the driver's license and possible imprisonment of up to 30 days. The penalties increase with subsequent offenses.
After being suspended over due process concerns, Miami-Dade schools and law enforcement are restarting the AI-powered stop-arm camera program with new oversight.
Read More →
From national bills on seat belts and driver oversight to driver awareness campaigns referencing “Finn’s Rule” and ongoing transportation funding debates in Alaska, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.
Read More →
A Williamsburg community is mourning after a child was fatally struck by a private yeshiva bus, prompting calls for urgent safety improvements at the high-traffic crossing.
Read More →
The new data shows 99.99% incident-free trips and strong on-time performance, reinforcing how dependable transportation, especially for vulnerable student populations, can help districts combat chronic absenteeism.
Read More →
Driver shortages, safety expectations, and staffing limits define student transportation in 2026. New survey data shows how fleet leaders are responding.
Read More →
The federal agency's report asks NHTSA to require all new school buses to be equipped with vehicle-integrated alcohol detection systems and passenger lap-shoulder belts.
Read More →
Student transportation teams are being asked to do more with less, facing driver shortages, rising costs, and increasing safety expectations. This report uncovers how fleets are adapting, where technology is making the biggest impact, and why student ridership tracking is emerging as a top priority. Download the report to explore the key trends shaping 2026 and what they mean for your operation.
Read More →
A Carroll County accident claimed the lives of two students and injured over a dozen others on a March 27 field trip for eighth graders at Clarksville-Montgomery County. A preliminary report adds new information to the story.
Read More →
From driver shortage solutions in Tennessee and rural connectivity debates in Utah to new safety laws in Wisconsin and ongoing electric bus mandate discussions in New York and Connecticut, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.
Read More →
Waymo’s self-driving vehicles are under fire again after repeated school bus passing violations, raising questions about safety, remote operators, and regulation.
Read More →
