Kearns Urges Motorists to Make Student Safety A Priority During National School Bus Safety Week

Erie County Clerk warns motorists must stop when a school bus flashes its red lights - it's the law!

Erie County, NY- Erie County Clerk Michael P. Kearns, Buffalo Public Schools, Buffalo Police Department, Erie County Sheriff's Office, District Parents Council and the AAA of Western and Central New York took time to remind the community of the annual awareness campaign on School Bus Safety that runs every October.

A major focus of the week is to promote safety around school buses, especially when a school bus stop-arm is extended, and the red lights are flashing which indicates the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. This is when motorists should slow down and prepare to stop their vehicles.

For a majority of the over 121,000 students throughout Erie County, the school day begins and ends with a trip on a school bus. Although school buses are one of the safest modes of transportation, injuries and fatalities do occur outside of or near the buses.

Unfortunately, senseless tragedies occur because motorists fail to slow down and follow local traffic laws which includes obeying the bus's stop arm and flashing red lights.

"As parents or guardians, I urge you to please follow basic school bus safety rules, stop when a school bus flashes its red lights - it's the law," stated Kearns.

Per New York State vehicle and traffic law, passing a school bus when it is stopped is illegal and poses a deadly risk to student riders and their caretakers. Drivers should always come to a complete stop when a school bus's stop-arm is extended, and its red lights are flashing.

"To ensure the safety of all school age students as they travel to and from school and school related events, I remind all drivers, 'Do Not Pass or You Will Pay,' as these consequences include a heavy fine, five (5) points added to your driving record, and a possibility of jail time," said Kearns.

Data has shown that on a single school day, an estimated 50,000 drivers throughout New York State illegally pass stopped school buses. In the City of Buffalo alone, over 2,000 motorists received warning letters for going around stopped school buses in a 90-day period. That is a staggering number here locally and one that local leaders, law enforcement and community partners are all very concerned with.

"AAA encourages drivers to put the safety of students first by always stopping for school buses with their lights on and stop arms out, slowing down - especially in school zones, and avoiding distractions behind the wheel. These choices will help keep students safe and save lives," said Mark Gruba, AAA Communications Specialist.

Kearns, added, "If we all exercise a little extra care and caution, drivers and students can all enjoy a safe school year."