DMV Urges Drivers to Keep Kids Safe by Stopping When They See a Stopped School Bus with Red Flashing Lights

Today the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC), along with law enforcement throughout the state, will participate in Operation Safe Stop to remind New Yorkers to stop for school buses with red flashing lights so students can safely get on and off their school buses. This enforcement and education campaign is especially important now, as more and more drivers are illegally passing stopped buses.  

“We’re seeing an uptick in the number of observed vehicles illegally and dangerously passing stopped school buses, and this is very alarming because children’s lives are at risk,” said GTSC Chair and DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder. “Drivers must obey these laws, whether stopping to wait for students to board or to depart a school bus or to cross the street at crosswalks. We resolutely support this campaign with the New York Association for Pupil Transportation.”

Executive Director, New York Association for Pupil Transportation (NYAPT), David Christopher said, “Operation Safe Stop is a reminder to motorists to slow down when you see yellow and stop when you see flashing red lights. That means children are in the area and they are moving—either getting on or off a bus—and you need to stop. All motorists have a responsibility to protect our students. Remember to stop on RED, our kids are ahead!”      

Laws protect students who are getting on and off a school bus by making it illegal for drivers to pass a school bus while the school bus is stopped for the purpose of dropping off or picking up passengers and the red lights on the school bus are flashing, regardless of the direction of approach. Motorists must stop at least 20 feet away, before reaching the bus, whether on a two-lane road, a multi-lane highway or on a divided highway.  

Despite that, about 50,000 motorists pass stopped school buses with red lights flashing statewide each school day, according to NYAPT

An annual survey, conducted by the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services, shows an increase in vehicles illegally passing stopped school buses. In a 2024, one-day survey of school bus drivers, 892 participating drivers reported almost 2,000 vehicles illegally passed their school buses. That’s at least two potentially deadly incidents witnessed by each driver in just one day. This rate of illegal passing is a marked increase over survey data from the preceding years.  

According to the New York State Education Department, the youngest students are most at risk. Children ages 4 to 8 (in grades K-3) are most susceptible to a school bus fatality. These children, though they represent less than 35 percent of the student population, were involved in 69 percent of the fatalities (79 out of 114).  

Fatal crashes involving students who were struck by passing motorists typically involved one or more of the following factors:

• Motorists attempted to pass the bus, claiming they did not have time to wait.
• Motorists claimed they couldn’t see the flashing lights because the lights were dirty or because sun, rain, snow, or fog blinded them.
• The bus driver waved the car through the red flashing lights, unaware a child was crossing the road at that time. Even if the bus driver waves you ahead, you should remain alert and drive slower.
• The motorist, demonstrating disregard for the law and/or children’s safety, did not stop for the flashing red lights.

A motorist who illegally passes a school bus stopped to drop off or pick up passengers will face legal and financial penalties.  

Vehicle Operators

Vehicle operators who illegally pass a stopped school bus will be fined as follows:  

• 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 F$750-$1,500 and/or up to 180 days in jail

Five points will be added to the operator's driving record for each conviction.

Vehicle Owners

Vehicle owners whose vehicle passes a stopped school bus will be fined—if caught on camera by a bus stop-arm camera—as follows:  

• First violation - penalty of $250
• Second violation within 18 months - penalty of $275
• Third violation (or more) within 18 months - penalty of $300

GTSC’s website includes helpful information for school bus safety and tips for motorists and students.  

About GTSC  

Combined with enforcement campaigns, GTSC coordinates various traffic safety activities throughout the year, and supports ongoing initiatives to improve pedestrian, motorcycle and bicycle safety. The GTSC also sponsors critical training for law enforcement, provides resources for teen drivers and their parents, and promotes seatbelt use statewide.  

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