Traffic Safety Board Red Light Offenders

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Dear Parents and Community,

Recently, the Putnam County School Bus Transportation Supervisors of the surrounding districts met with the Putnam County Traffic Safety Board. We met to discuss how we can work together as a team to effectively reduce the incidences of illegal passing of school buses. We have noticed an increase in these incidents and we need your help as responsible motorists. The safety of our children is our top priority and reckless drivers who put our kids in danger must be held accountable!

OUR GOAL: RED LIGHT OFFENDERS!

In this meeting, we outlined EDUCATION and AWARENESS to be the primary components for a successful program.  The School District’s Transportation Departments regularly observes and regulates the driver’s proper stopping procedure to be within compliance of the law.(15 NYCRR 6.8 c) Our school bus passengers are reminded daily on how to enter and exit the school bus
safely and to follow the safe crossing procedures. (8 NYCRR 153.3 d4) Here are some ways we can work together to help promote safety and enhance the awareness of the law and the dangers of illegally passing a school bus.

  • Be at the bus stop ~ minutes early and limit your conversation with the driver. A bus stopped for a prolonged period of time will confuse the motorist and they will be tempted to pass.
  • Contact your transportation department with all questions and concerns.
  • Review the “Safe Crossing Procedure”(below) and the §. life saving tips (below) in the classroom and at home.
  • Remind your student to always pay attention to the driver when getting on and off the school bus.
  • Share with your friends and family that it is illegal to pass a stopped school bus when the red lights are flashing. This includes times when students are boarding/deboarding on school property.
  • Remember, illegally passing a stopped school bus can cost you a citation, fines, points on your license, and the unforgivable student injury.
  • If you witness a motorist illegally pass a school bus immediately report the license plate to your local law enforcement agency.
  • Report to your local school Transportation and Police Department specific locations you have repeatedly witnessed these RED LIGHT offenders.

Below is some helpful information regarding school bus safety:

OPERATION SAFE STOP: MAY 2, 2019

http://www.safeny.ny.gov/opsafstp.htm

Student Crossing Procedures:
www.liverpool.k12.ny.us

School Bus Safety

https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/school-bus-safety
https://www.nsc.org/…/seasonal-safety/back-to-school/bus
https://www.scholastic.com/…/school-bus-safety-printable-poster.html

As the Putnam County Traffic Safety Board, we plan to continue working closely with our School District’s bus drivers, the Sheriff’s Department, and the State police to reduce
these Red Light offenders and enhance the safety of the students in our community.
Please join us in our efforts!

Sincerely,

Judie Mirra

Liaison/Coordinator
Putnam County Traffic Safety Board
3 County Center
Carmel, New York 10512
845-225-4300 Ext. 42213

judie.mirra@putnamcountyny.gov