Operation Safe Stop in Dutchess and Putnam Counties

Troop K, Zone 2, Dutchess and Putnam Counties, New York – On April 2, 2019, Troopers participated in a statewide initiative to increase school bus safety awareness through education and enforcement.

Troopers wrote a total of thirteen tickets while following school buses in the village of Wappinger, town of Washington, and the town of Southeast.  Seven tickets of those tickets issued were for illegally passing a school bus.

An estimated 50,000 motor vehicles illegally pass New York State school buses every day.  The State Police will continue such operations in furtherance of our mission to ensure highway safety for all users of the roadway.

Please remember:

• It is illegal – and very dangerous – to pass a stopped school bus when the large red lights located on top of the bus are flashing. Flashing lights mean the bus is picking up or discharging students.
• You must stop whether you are approaching the school bus from the front or overtaking it from the rear.
• You must always stop for flashing red lights, even on divided and multilane highways and on school grounds.
• The first-time fine for illegally passing a school bus is a $250 to $400 fine, 5 points on your license, and/or possibly 30 days in jail.
• Worse yet, the memory of hitting or killing a child may be one you carry for the rest of your life!