Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara has introduced the "School Bus Safety Protection Act" to increase penalties for drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses, putting kids in danger.

Current Concerns:

• Most school bus-related deaths and injuries happen when children cross the street after getting off the bus, not in bus collisions.
• Despite existing penalties, more than 50,000 vehicles illegally pass stopped school buses every day in New York State, according to the New York Association for Pupil Transportation (NYAPT).

The stop-arm camera penalties and the penalties for being caught by law enforcement for illegally passing a stopped school bus are generally separate systems. The penalties from stop-arm cameras focus on issuing fines to vehicle owners through automated enforcement, regardless of who is driving. These fines do not typically result in points on the driver's license or jail time, which are penalties associated with law enforcement-issued violations.

So, if a driver is caught by a stop-arm camera, they would face fines, but if they are stopped by law enforcement, they could face additional penalties, including points on their license and potential jail time. The two systems work alongside each other to enforce school bus safety but are not cumulative in terms of penalties.

Current Penalties:

• First Offense: $250-$400 fine, up to 30 days in jail, 5 points on your license.
• Second Offense: $600-$750 fine, up to 180 days in jail, 5 points.
• Third Offense: $750-$1,000 fine, up to 180 days in jail, 5 points.

If you are convicted of three violations within three years, your license will be revoked for at least six months.

Stop-Arm Cameras:

A 2019 law allows school buses to use stop-arm cameras to fine vehicle owners who pass stopped school buses.

• First violation: $250 penalty.
• Second violation (within 18 months): $275 penalty.
• Third violation (within 18 months): $300 penalty.

Proposed Penalties under the new bill:

• Flat Fine: $1,000 for each offense.
• Jail Time: Up to 6 months.
• License Points: 7 points for each offense.
• License Suspension: 6 months automatically if convicted.
• Community Service: 50 hours related to school or child safety.

"These numbers show that current penalties aren’t enough," said Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara. "Passing a stopped school bus isn’t just breaking the law—it’s putting kids’ lives in danger. We need stronger penalties to make sure this stops."

Santabarbara also said, “Drivers who pass stopped school buses are taking a huge risk with children’s lives. The penalties should match how serious this is. By making the penalties tougher, we can better protect our kids and make drivers think twice before doing something so dangerous.”

This bill also aims to increase awareness about school bus safety. Santabarbara plans to work with law enforcement, schools, and community groups to spread the word across the state.

"Children's safety isn’t negotiable," said Santabarbara. "This law is a big step toward making our roads safer and holding reckless drivers accountable."