Police In New York State On Alert For These

The 2023 school year is almost in it's third month already here in New York State and there is another reminder to drivers this week here in the Empire State.

When the summer ends and the new school year starts, we are all on alert for kids walking to school and to pay attention around school buses. There are many strict laws on the books regarding how to drive when on a road near or with a school bus.

It's National School Bus Safety Week, and The state Department of Transportation and Governor's Traffic Safety Committee say it's illegal to pass a school bus when its flashing lights are displayed.

How far from a bus should your vehicle be from a bus with the red lights on? According to the law:

Motorists must stop their cars at least 20 feet away from the bus and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop sign is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving before they can start driving again.

According to an email sent to us from Erie County Clerk, Mickey Kearns, there are very specific rules about a divided highway and what to do when a school bus stops in New York State.

When a school bus stops and flashes its red lights, traffic approaching from either direction must stop before reaching the bus: on a two-lane road, on multi-lane highways, or on divided highways.