New York Lawmaker Pushes for $1,000 Fine on Drivers Who Pass Stopped School Buses!
New York State will soon be bustling with school buses once again. With this in mind, there’s a growing concern about the safety of children getting on and off these buses.
Despite efforts to prevent vehicles from passing stopped school buses, lawmakers stress that most school bus-related injuries and fatalities occur when children are crossing the street after exiting the bus—not during bus collisions.
In recent years, school districts across New York State have implemented stricter measures to curb the dangerous habit of passing stopped school buses. One of the most significant steps taken is the installation of cameras on more than one in five school buses.
These cameras capture images of vehicles that illegally pass a stopped bus. The evidence collected is then used by local authorities to issue a $250 ticket to the owner of the offending vehicle. Notably, this ticket does not come with any points on the driver’s license.
However, there’s a catch. According to legislators, the penalties for school bus camera violations and those issued by law enforcement are treated as separate systems. This means that the consequences of being caught by a camera and being caught by a police officer are not always aligned.
Currently, the maximum fine for passing a stopped school bus in New York is $400 for a first offense. Yet, one state legislator, Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, believes this is not enough to deter drivers from endangering children. He is advocating for significantly harsher penalties, which could even lead to more jail time for repeat offenders.
Presently, offenders can face jail time ranging from 30 to 180 days. However, it’s rare for offenders actually to serve time behind bars. Santabarbara’s proposal, the School Bus Safety Protection Act, aims to change that.
His office has gathered alarming statistics showing that over 50,000 vehicles illegally pass stopped school buses every day in New York State. This shocking number highlights the urgent need for stricter enforcement.
If passed, Santabarbara’s bill would impose a $1,000 fine for each offense of illegally passing a stopped school bus, even for first-time offenders. Additionally, those convicted could face a suspended license, up to six months in jail, and mandatory community service. These increased penalties are designed to send a clear message that the safety of children is a top priority.
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This proposed legislation is gaining attention as the school year nears. It reminds drivers across New York State to be vigilant and obey the law regarding stopped school buses. The hope is that these tougher penalties will significantly reduce the number of violations and, in turn, protect more children from harm.