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Extra Patrols To Make Sure Drivers Follow Traffic Laws Around School Buses

As school gets back in session this week, it also means a return of the school buses. And that brings words of caution from the authorities.

Throughout this week, the Ontario County Sheriff’s Department will have extra deputies on patrol to follow school buses from each of the nine school districts in that county. 

Those deputies will be making sure that drivers in the area are following the vehicle and traffic laws in stopping for school buses that have their red flashing lights on and are actively loading or unloading children.

Deputies will also be monitoring aggressive and distracted driving that is going on around school zones.

Authorities remind you that passing a stopped school bus with its red lights activated while loading or unloading passengers is a five point moving violation with a minimum $250 fine.

The New York Association for Pupil Transportation estimates that about 50,000 drivers pass stopped school buses illegally every day in the state, and the association’s executive director, Peter Mannella, says that is simply unacceptable.

Randy Gorbman is WXXI's director of news and public affairs. Randy manages the day-to-day operations of WXXI News on radio, television, and online.