Bus Patrol

Every public school district in Rockland County has joined the School Bus Safety Program. Participating districts are:

• Clarkstown Central School District
• East Ramapo Central School District (including participating private Yeshiva school buses)
• Haverstraw-Stony Point Central School District (North Rockland)
• Nanuet Union Free School District
• Nyack Union Free School District
• Pearl River Union Free School District
• South Orangetown Central School District
• Suffern Central School District

Every day, more than 2.3 million children travel on school buses across New York State. Data shows that approximately 50,000 drivers illegally pass stopped school buses on a single school day.*

In one New York study, 10 buses in East Meadow recorded 615 illegal passes in just one month, averaging more than two violations per bus per day.

*Source: https://trafficsafety.ny.gov/operation-safe-stop

School buses across Rockland County are equipped with safety technology, including AI-powered stop-arm cameras that detect when a vehicle illegally passes a stopped bus.

When a violation occurs, video evidence is securely reviewed by law enforcement to determine whether a citation should be issued.

Over time, this approach helps change driver behavior, reduce illegal passing, and improve safety for students traveling to and from school.

Here’s how it works:

• When a vehicle illegally passes a stopped school bus, the camera records the incident.
• The footage is securely sent to law enforcement for independent review.
• If a violation is confirmed, a citation is mailed to the registered vehicle owner.

All public school districts in Rockland County participate in the program and receive a comprehensive school bus safety solution across their fleets at no cost to schools, taxpayers, or the County. The violator-funded program covers the installation, operation, and maintenance of the technology. In addition to helping reduce illegal passing, districts also have access to interior cameras.

Rockland County continues to work with BusPatrol on ongoing community education and awareness efforts. This includes road signage, public outreach, and regular communication to remind drivers of the law and promote safer behavior around school buses.

Stop-arm cameras identify vehicles that illegally pass school buses by capturing the license plate. Citations are issued to the registered vehicle owner unless the vehicle was reported stolen at the time of the violation. Vehicle owners may request a transfer of liability if another driver was operating the vehicle.

In New York State, the civil penalty starts at $250 for a first violation. Additional violations within 18 months may increase up to $300.

These are civil violations. They do not add points to a driver’s license or affect insurance rates. In communities with similar programs, more than 90% of first-time violators do not receive a second citation.

When a school bus stops and flashes its red lights, traffic approaching from either direction must stop before reaching the bus:

• on a two-lane road
• on multi-lane highways
• on divided highways

School buses operate differently from other vehicles. They have larger blind spots, take longer to stop, and make frequent stops.

When you encounter a school bus:

• Slow down and be prepared to stop
• Always watch for children near the roadway
• Stop at least 20 feet away when the bus displays red lights
• Look carefully before moving, as children may be crossing nearby

Parents should review transportation safety rules with their children and reinforce the following tips:

• Get to the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus arrives.
• When the bus approaches, stand at least three giant steps (six feet) away from the curb and wait away from the street.
• Wait until the bus stops, the door opens, and the driver says it's okay before stepping onto the bus.
• If you have to cross the street in front of the bus, walk on the sidewalk or along the side of the road to a point at least five giant steps (ten feet) ahead of the bus before you cross. Be sure that the driver can see you, and you can see the bus driver.
• Use the handrails to avoid falling. Be careful that clothes with drawstrings and bags with straps are not caught in the handrails or doors.
• Never walk behind the bus.
• After you get off the bus, walk at least three giant steps away from the side of the bus.
• If you drop something near the bus, tell the bus driver. Never try to pick it up because the driver may not be able to see you.
• Students can only embark or disembark at their designated stop.

• Check before you step.
• I see the driver. The driver sees me.
• Wait for the driver's signal to cross.
• Look left, right, and left again.
• Use a backpack or book bag to avoid dropping things.
• Horn means danger.