ALBANY — As schools reopen across the state, the New York Association for Pupil Transportation is reminding drivers to be extra careful as they encounter school buses traveling the highways.

According to a statewide survey of school bus drivers conducted by NYAPT, motorists passing stopped school buses in New York continue to be a serious safety problem that endangers students as they travel to and from school.

“Providing school-age children a safe school bus ride to and from school is our top priority, and we urge all motorists to do their part and be extra cautious as schools reopen,” said Marc Medina, NYAPT president and transportation director at the Farmingdale School District on Long Island. “We are asking drivers to avoid distractions while driving, be aware that school buses are back on the roads, and always to stop when they see those red lights flashing on a school bus, because students’ lives depend on it.”

State Vehicle and Traffic Law requires all vehicles to come to a complete stop when approaching a school bus stopped with red lights flashing. Red flashing lights indicate that a child is either boarding or disembarking a school bus. State law prohibits passing a school bus that is stopped with red lights flashing, regardless of your direction of travel, even if there is a multi-lane or divided highway.

Penalties for a first-time offense include a fine from $250 to $400, five points on your license and the possibility of 30 days in jail. A second conviction within three years will result in a $600 to $750 fine and up to 180 days in jail; while three or more convictions will result in a fine from $750 to $1,000, mandatory revocation of your driver’s license, and up to 180 days in jail.

“Riding a school bus is the safest way for a student to get to and from school each day, and we ask motorists who share the road with our school buses to do their part to keep it that way,” NYAPT Executive Director David Christopher said.

NYAPT is also alerting parents and caregivers that the New York school transportation industry, like many other school transportation providers across the country, is still experiencing some levels of shortage in school bus driver staffing. A recent survey of NYAPT membership indicates 60% of respondents need to hire more school bus driving staff.

“While Governor Hochul and the legislature have made important policy changes to assist schools with recruiting and retaining school bus drivers, many school transportation departments are still struggling to address the driver shortage problem,” Christopher said. “We ask that parents and caregivers who experience delays in school bus service or have transportation routes temporarily paused due to a lack of drivers be patient and have backup plans for transporting their children to and from school.”

Finally, NYAPT urges individuals seeking a rewarding part-time job to consider applying to become a school bus driver. The job offers benefits such as a flexible schedule, competitive hourly pay, employer-provided health insurance, the opportunity to be home with your school-age children when schools are closed, and, in many cases, a generous benefits package.

Contact your local school district or private school transportation provider to find out more about becoming a school bus driver.