The County Executive’s Corner: Protecting Our Children

One stop at a time

This week marks National School Bus Safety Week, and I want to take a moment to highlight our program that’s making a real difference right here in Rockland County — our School Bus Safety Program with BusPatrol.

Every single day in New York State, it’s estimated that +50,000 drivers illegally pass stopped school buses. That means tens of thousands of children are put at risk by drivers who can’t wait a few extra seconds. 

As a father, grandfather, and former member of law enforcement, I still find it unbelievable that anyone could justify that kind of reckless behavior. That’s exactly why Rockland County launched our violator-funded school bus stop-arm camera program in 2023. These cameras are installed on buses across every school district — at no cost to taxpayers or school districts — and automatically record vehicles that illegally pass when the stop arm is out, and red lights are flashing.

Since the program’s inception, we’ve issued 50,000 citations right here in Rockland. And while that number might seem high, it represents accountability — and, more importantly, change.

In fact, we’ve seen some remarkable progress:

Last school year (SY24-25), we saw an approximately 30% drop in violations when comparing the beginning of the school year to the end of the school year.

Even better, 90% of drivers who received one ticket have never received a second — meaning most people are learning their lesson after a single violation.

That’s the goal: not to punish, but to prevent. Every driver who changes their behavior helps make our roads safer for children.

I’m proud to say that every school district in Rockland County has opted into the program which means every student who rides a school bus in Rockland now benefits from this added layer of safety.

Always remember when a school bus extends its stop arm and flashes its red lights, vehicles in all directions must stop — even on multi-lane roads.

Drivers may only proceed once the stop arm retracts and the bus starts moving again.

Violators caught on camera face a fine of $250 for a first offense, $275 for a second, and $300 for a third within 18 months. 

Payments and inquiries can be handled at AlertBus.com or by calling 877-504-7080.

These fines are small compared to what’s at stake — the safety of our children.

So as we mark School Bus Safety Week, I’m asking all Rockland drivers to take this message to heart: No appointment, no errand, no excuse is worth risking a child’s life.

This program is working. The numbers show it. But we can’t let up. Together, we can make sure every child who boards a school bus in Rockland gets to and from school safely, every single day.

Let’s continue protecting our children, one stop at a time.

  county executive, ed day, National School Bus Safety, rockland county