Rockland County's School Safety Initiative Pronounced a Success One Year After Program's Launch

By M. C. Millman

One year after Rockland County announced its partnership with Bus Patrol, as reported by Rockland Daily here, all of Rockland's school districts have opted into the program, and buses have been equipped with stop-arm cameras at no cost to districts, with the final East Ramapo Central School District in the process of having its buses equipped.

Fifty thousand drivers illegally pass stopped school buses daily throughout New York State, putting the lives of children at risk.

BusPatrol's proven track record of reducing the rate of illegal passings by up to 30% year over year is already working. The program has ticketed 9,304 drivers countywide for illegally passing buses and endangering Rockland's children.  

Drivers caught by cameras illegally passing activated stop-arms on school buses receive the following penalties by mail:

• 1st Violation $250
• 2nd Violation $275
• 3rd Violation $300

(within an 18-month period)