ON-AIR SEGMENT: Sheriff Mike Carpinelli shares what he believes should be a standard consequence for drivers caught passing a stopped school bus
LOWVILLE- The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) reports that in New York State, 2.3 million children are transported by more than 50,000 school buses annually.
With the kids back in school, local law enforcement authorities are driving home the fact that it is illegal to pass a stopped school bus in New York State (one that has its stop arms out and activated/flashing).
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, including:
- 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, according to the NYS DMV office.
Although there are consequences for passing a stopped school bus, Lewis County Sheriff Mike Carpinelli believes they are not firm enough to send a clear message to drivers.
"How about no more fines... instead, the first time you pass a school bus, we impound your car right there," the Sheriff said while addressing his annual school safety points with us this month.
"We have bright red flashing lights, we have yellow lights and there are green lights on some other vehicles, a combination of everything there. And yet, people continue to run past it. They put an arm out, they run past that. That's why I say there needs to be a tighter form, a harder form of punishment and accountability for that action."
Listen to our latest on-air segment with the Sheriff from Wednesday, September 11, 2024:
Last-week, the Sheriff attributed a safe track record of school safety across the North Country to responsible citizens and the collaboration of local law enforcement.
On the other hand, the Sheriff is concerned about driver inattention, especially with an increasing popularity of drivers utilizing so many different electronic features while behind the wheel.
The Sheriff urges drivers to be alert for school busses all-year-long and wishes a happy and safe academic year to all students returning to the class room.
Lewis County Sheriff Mike Carpinelli image.
