The County Executive’s Corner: Protecting Children One Ticket at a Time

Every day in New York State, an estimated 50,000 drivers illegally pass stopped school buses, putting the lives and safety of children at risk. This is not just a statistic — it’s a daily reminder that far too many motorists are willing to gamble with children’s lives to save a few seconds on their commute.

As a father and former member of law enforcement, it has always boggled my mind that anyone believes their schedule is more important than a child’s safety. We teach our children to look both ways before crossing the street; adults behind the wheel should know better than to blow past a stopped school bus.

To combat this reckless behavior, Rockland County partnered with BusPatrol to launch a violator-funded program that equips school buses with stop-arm cameras at no cost to school districts or taxpayers. These cameras automatically record drivers who fail to stop when buses are picking up or dropping off students — ensuring accountability even when law enforcement officers cannot be everywhere at once.

Since the program’s inception in 2023, about 50,000 tickets have been issued to drivers right here in Rockland County. The numbers are staggering, but there’s also good news: BusPatrol reports that these programs reduce illegal passings by up to 30% each year. That means fewer dangerous encounters at bus stops and fewer parents forced to worry if their child will make it to school safely.

I’m proud to say every school district in Rockland has opted in. This universal participation is a major step forward in protecting our kids, and East Ramapo Central School District is now completing its fleet installation to close the last gap.

No parent should ever have to fear that their child could be struck by a careless driver while simply boarding or exiting a school bus.

A few reminders for all drivers:

•When a school bus stop arm is extended, vehicles in all lanes must stop.

• It is illegal to pass a school bus with its stop arm out — no matter how many lanes, no matter the direction.

• Only proceed after the stop arm retracts and the bus begins moving again.

Violators caught on camera face the following penalties by mail:

•1st Violation: $250

•2nd Violation: $275

•3rd Violation: $300 (within 18 months)

These fines pale in comparison to the priceless lives your impatience puts at risk. If you receive a citation, payments and inquiries can be handled at AlertBus.com or by calling 877-504-7080.

Let’s do the right thing and send one clear message: no appointment, no errand, no excuse is worth risking a child’s life. Stop for the bus. Always.