Bus Patrol

Font Size: + -

Feedback Print

Rockland County School Bus Safety Program

Each year, an estimated 40 million illegal passes of stopped school buses occur across the United States, according to the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS).
To address this issue locally, Rockland County partnered with BusPatrol to launch the School Bus Safety Program at the start of the 2023–24 school year. The program helps deter illegal passing, supports law enforcement with video evidence, and improves safety for students across the county.

FAQ

Which school districts in Rockland County are participating in the program?

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

How often do drivers illegally pass stopped school buses in New York State?

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

How does the program work?

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.

Data shows that over 90% of first-time violators do not repeat the offense.

How will school districts benefit from the program?

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.

Who are stop-arm violations issued to and how much will they cost?

Diagram explaining how citations work for stop-arm violations

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 should I stop for a stopped school bus in New York?

Diagram explaining what type of roads or highways you must stop for buses on

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

Yellow flashing lights mean the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Slow down and prepare to stop your vehicle.
Red flashing lights mean the bus has stopped for the purpose of loading or unloading children. Stop your vehicle and wait until the school bus resumes motion or until signaled by the driver or police officer to proceed.

Learn more at New York DMV.

How should driver behave around school buses?

Safety tips for students and families

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.

Safety tips for children

Additional resources

More sites containing information on this topic:

Contact information 