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Schalmont Central
School District to participate in statewide effort promoting bus
safety.
Operation Safe Stop
will
be in full force in the Schalmont Central School District on
Thursday, Oct. 12. This statewide campaign is designed to remind
motorists about the dangers of passing stopped school buses when
the large red lights atop the bus are flashing. The flashing red
lights indicate the vehicle has stopped and children are
preparing to either board or depart the bus.
During the event, New York
State Troopers will monitor bus routes on the way to and from
school.
"We take this law very seriously," said
Schalmont Director of Transportation Kevin Mercoglan. "This is a
great way to make sure drivers are stopping when they are
supposed to."
The penalties for violating the law are
severe. The first offense for passing a stopped school bus can
result in five points on your license. In addition, violators can
expect to pay a minimum $250 fine and/or possibly spend 30 days
in jail. The fine for the second offense jumps to $600 and a
possible 180-day jail term.
Operation Safe Stop will be practiced in school districts
across New York State this fall. It was established in memory of a child
who was struck and killed when a motorist illegally passed a
school bus while its red lights were flashing. During the last
five years, 35 students in New York were hit by motorists
passing stopped school buses, and two of those students did not
survive.
REMEMBER:
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Yellow lights: Slow down!
The bus is preparing to pick up students
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Red lights:
STOP! Students are getting on or off the bus, and it is
illegal and very dangerous to pass.
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You must stop whether you are
approaching the school bus from the front or overtaking it
from the rear.
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You must always stop for flashing
red lights, even on divided and multilane highways, in
parking lots and on school grounds.
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