Interview: Sheriff Rob Maciol talks roll-out of school bus stop-arm cameras for several local school districts

In New York State, you're not supposed to pass a stopped school bus that has its stop arms out and flashing.

Yet, this happens, on average, nearly 50,000 times per-day statewide, according to Oneida County Sheriff Rob Maciol. While that number includes major cities and urban areas, where most of those incidents make up the staggering statistic, local bus drivers and law enforcement officials say it's an issue locally as well. 

There are legal and financial consequences for vehicle operators who 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.

These penalties include:

• First conviction - fine of $250-$400 and/or up to 30 days in jail
• Second conviction within 3 years - fine of $600-$750 and/or up to 180 days in jail
• Third conviction (or more) within 3 years - fine of $750-$1000 and/or up to 180 days in jail
• *Five points will be added to the operator's driving record for each conviction.  

Before the age of technology we have in today's world, law enforcement could only rely on bus drivers or witnesses to obtain a possible plate or description of the vehicle that passed a stopped school bus. 

Furthermore, police would have to hunt down the driver and or owner of the vehicle. 

On the other hand, drivers should beware that there are several school districts now taking advantage of a state law passed in 2019, which 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.

In short, this means if you pass a stopped school bus, Maciol says the vehicle owner is subject to receive a fine:

• First violation - penalty of $250
• Second violation within 18 months - penalty of $275
• Third violation (or more) within 18 months - penalty of $300

Here in New York, school has been back in session for just over a month and so far things have gone smoothly here locally. With that being said, law enforcement officials are stressing that drivers mind school zones, crosswalks and school busses. 

Be sure to listen to our latest on-air segment with Oneida County Sheriff Rob Maciol for more of his remarks:

Sheriff Rob Maciol image.

Headline image courtesy via the New York State DMV.