MAYVILLE – The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with state and local police agencies throughout the County, will participate in a zero-tolerance enforcement effort today, dubbed “Operation Safe Stop.”
Operation Safe Stop is an annual enforcement and awareness day intended to educate the public of the dangers associated with unlawfully passing stopped school buses.
Children continue to be injured and killed each year as a result of motorists failing to exercise appropriate caution and stop as required by law for school buses that are loading or discharging passengers.
Police throughout the County will be following and observing school buses as they travel their routes on Thursday, April 21st.
The New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law prohibits drivers from passing a school bus from either direction when the bus is stopped with its red lights flashing while on a public highway, street or private road, including school parking lots and driveways.
Drivers convicted for the first time face fines of $250 to $400 or up to 30 days in jail, or both.
Subsequent convictions within a 3-year period can result in fines of up to $850 or 180 days in jail, or both.
Anyone convicted of any of these violations could be assessed five points toward the suspension of their license.
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