ON-AIR SEGMENT: Sheriff Carpinelli attributes safe local school traffic track record to law enforcement collaboration and driver attentiveness

LOWVILLE- Students are back in the classroom all across New York and drivers are being reminded of the routine back to school safety measures to mind throughout the academic year.

According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 998 fatal school-transportation-related crashes across the country between 2012 and 2021. 1,110 people of all ages were killed in those crashes, an average of 111 fatalities per year.

Also, there were 113 occupants killed in school transportation vehicles; 52 were drivers, and 61 were passengers from 2012 to 2021.

Here in the North Country, Lewis County Sheriff Mike Carpinelli says the area is fortunate to have a safe track record for when it comes to safety in school zones and school busses. 

"I attribute that to the citizens that keep an eye out for the passengers," he told us. "I attribute that to the cooperation between the County Sheriff's Deputies, State Police and the village whenever we can work together."

Listen to our latest on-air segment from Wednesday, September 4, 2024:

With that said, the Sheriff warns that all it takes is one reckless move behind the wheel to change that track record for worse. 

We have already seen one report of a passed school bus on social media. It apparently happened on Tuesday, where a local resident in Lewis County posted about witnessing a truck pass a stopped school bus that had its stop arms out and activated.

In New York State, it is illegal to pass a school bus that has its stop arms out and activated. 

Stay tuned, the Sheriff will join North Country News later on this month to discuss more on back to school safety measures.

Sheriff Mike Carpinelli image.