Back-to-School Bus Safety

Tips to keep Rockland County students safe!

NEW CITY, NY, - As the new school year approaches, the Rockland County Department of Health urges students, parents, and drivers to prioritize school bus safety.

Parents are encouraged to talk with kids about staying SAFE as they head back to school:

Stay at least ten feet - five giant steps - away from the curb. Remind kids that the bus stop is not a place to run or play. Arrive at the bus stop at least 5 minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.

Always wait until the bus comes to a complete stop, the door opens, and the bus driver says it’s okay to get on. Use the handrails to avoid falling.

Face forward after finding a seat on the bus.

Exit the bus after it stops. When getting off the bus, take five giant steps straight out the bus door and out of the danger zone (areas around buses where the driver can’t see you). Make eye contact with the bus driver and wait for them to signal you before you cross in front of the bus. Look left, look right, and look left again for cars before crossing the street. Never walk behind a school bus or bend down near or under the bus. Don’t go back for anything you have left on the bus.

Watch the School Bus Safety video from the New York State Department of Transportation for more information.

To further protect students, Rockland County has partnered with BusPatrol to equip school buses with stop-arm cameras - at no cost to taxpayers. These cameras detect drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses. Since its inception in June 2023, more than 45,000 tickets have been issued. Violators are ticketed by mail and face the following fines:

•  1st violation: $250
•  2nd violation: $275
•  3rd violation: $300 (within 18 months).

“We all must work together to ensure students get to and from school safely,” said Dr. Mary Leahy, Rockland County Commissioner of Health. “Never pass a stopped school bus with red lights flashing and the stop-arm out, it’s very dangerous and illegal. Traffic must stop in both directions - even on wide, multi-lane roadways.”

Drivers - stay alert near school buses:

• Watch for children, particularly in the morning or mid-afternoon, around school arrival and dismissal times. Be alert as you back out of a driveway or drive through a neighborhood, school zone, or bus stop.
• Yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. You should slow down and prepare to stop your vehicle.
• School buses stop often, travel at slower speeds, and must stop at railroad crossings. Be patient and prepare to stop.
• Avoid distractions — never use electronic devices while driving.

For more information, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the  New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, and the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.

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