Broome County School Bus Cameras Catching HUNDREDS Passing Illegally
Okay, as the saying goes, "I may not be the sharpest tool in the shed", but I do understand right from wrong and how to obey rules. So, it boggles my mind when I see reports that motorists continue to pass a stopped school bus when the red lights are flashing and the extended arm stop sign has been deployed, which by the way, also has flashing red lights.
Broome County Executive Jason Garnar reported this week on his Facebook page, the number of violators who passed a school bus that was loading or unloading students for the month of January 2022 in the county.
That number is 209. And that's just the number caught on camera. 209 motorists illegally passing a school bus. But wait, there's more! Garnar also reports that for the 2022 school year, which is has just completed 5 months, there have been 1357 violations. Seriously?
A first-time offender gets ticketed with a $250 dollar fine. Is it worth it? It's certainly not worth endangering the life of the children as they are getting on or off a school bus. A second violation waiting 18 months is a $275 dollar fine and $300 for a third offense according to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.
Unless I'm missing something, and I'm pretty sure I'm not, there is no reason any motorist should have any reason to pass a school bus illegally. Any time I've been behind a school bus as it is loading or unloading children, the wait time is shorter than sitting at most traffic lights.
Also, as a reminder from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, it's the law that you need to stop for a school bus with flashing lights and the stop arm extended even if it's on the opposite side of a divided highway.
via Broome County Executive Jason Garnar, New York State Department of Motor Vehicles