Enforcement Begins in Rockland County School Bus Safety Initiative

By Hamodia Staff

Rockland County Executive Ed Day announced the Rockland County School Bus Safety program, f an enforcement initiative to ticket drivers passing school bus stop signs.

Rockland County has partnered with company BusPatrol to launch a violator-funded business model allowing districts to equip school buses with cameras on the bus stop-arms at no-cost.

During the initial 30-day warning period during May, Pearl River School District buses, which are fully equipped with cameras on stop-arms, captured 56 potential violations, out of which the Rockland County Sheriff’s Department identified 37 violations. Warning letters were sent to the citizens involved.

With the conclusion of the warning period, any citizen found in violation from June 1, 2023, onwards will be issued a monetary violation from any of the Pearl River or Suffern School Buses.

“As a father and former member of law enforcement who has personally seen the results of children being seriously injured or killed, it has always boggled my mind that some drivers actually believe those few seconds of their time waiting for a school bus is more important than a child’s life,” said County Executive Ed Day. “Drivers heed our warning; come fall, this significant child safety initiative will be in effect across most of Rockland and cracking down on drivers putting children’s lives at risk.”

In August, other school districts in the region will start a 30-day warning period, followed by live ticketing commencing on September 5th.

Penalties for violations, which will be issued by mail, will be $250 for the first violation, and $275 for the second violation and $300 for the third one if occurring within an 18 month period.