Did you know that an estimated 50,000 motor vehicles illegally pass New York State school buses every day? Don’t become one of them! In New York State, it is illegal to pass a bus when its red lights are flashing. When drivers see the red lights flashing, they must come to a complete stop at least 20 feet away from the bus so that the bus driver can pick up or discharge students. This rule applies even when a bus has its red lights flashing in a parking lot, on school grounds, on a multi-lane highway or on the opposite side of a divided highway. Drivers must stop, whether they are approaching the bus from the front or the rear. When the red lights stop flashing or when the bus driver signals, drivers may resume driving. Drivers must yield to flashing yellow lights on a bus, slow down and be prepared to stop.
Be Respectful
- Keep hands and feet to yourself.
- Keep noise level down and use respectful language.
Be Responsible
- Keep the aisle clear at all times.
- Wear face mask before entering bus, and while riding and exiting bus.
- Sit in assigned seat.
- Be at your stop at least five minutes early and ready to load the bus.
- Boarding of authorized passengers at authorized stops is allowed; unauthorized passengers are not allowed.
- Eating and/or drinking are not allowed on the bus.
Be Safe
- Remain in your assigned seat at all times until the bus is stopped.
- Wait for the driver’s signal before crossing at least 10 feet in front of the bus.
- Go back to where you started if you hear the horn while loading/unloading from the bus.
- Wear headphones or earbuds while using electronic devices. Remove them while loading/unloading from the bus for your safety.