Suffolk Police to Participate in Operation Safe Stop

The Suffolk County Police Department will be participating in the New York State Governor's Traffic Safety Committee Operation Safe Stop on Thursday.

Operation Safe Stop seeks to promote school bus safety through education and enforcement efforts. This annual event is designed to educate drivers that passing a stopped school bus is both dangerous and illegal. 

The event is a cooperative project supported by the New York State Governor's Traffic Safety Committee, the New York State Education Department, the New York Association for Pupil Transportation, the New York State School Bus Contractors Association, the transportation industry and law enforcement agencies.

Passing a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing is a violation of section 1174 of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law. The first-time fine for illegally passing a stopped school bus is a minimum fine of $250 and five points on your driver's license. A second conviction within three years results in a minimum fine of $600. A third or subsequent conviction within three years results in a minimum fine of $750.