Rolling V Urges Drivers to Stop When They See Flashing, Red Lights on a School Bus
South Fallsburg, N.Y. (April 11, 2018) – Rolling V Bus Corp., a Catskill Region-based school bus transportation company, has once again announced its participation in the annual Operation Safe Stop Day, a statewide education and enforcement campaign to promote school bus safety.
Every day, nearly 50,000 motor vehicles illegally pass school buses, according to the New York Association for Pupil Transportation. On Thursday, April 26, school districts and law enforcement throughout New York State participate in Operation Safe Stop Day, a program started in 1993 that promotes stopping for school buses. During “Safe Stop,” police officers monitor the roads in marked and unmarked patrol units, in addition to placement on various school buses, to help combat illegal passing.
“The safety of our passengers is our top priority, and Operation Safe Stop Day is a great opportunity to educate drivers about school bus safety,” said Nicole Forgette, Director of Safety & Training at Rolling V. “Not only is it illegal to pass a stopped school bus in the process of loading or unloading students, but it is also extremely dangerous.”
On Operation Safe Stop Day, Rolling V’s safety team will work with local law enforcement to identify known trouble routes for motorists who illegally pass school buses. Though school bus drivers are not allowed to stop a vehicle for passing a stopped school bus, the driver can report the vehicle to the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The DMV can then issue warnings and fines, ranging from $250 to $400 for the first violation, five points on the registered motorist’s license and even imprisonment.
In addition, Rolling V will send its Terminal Managers and Safety Officers to local police departments and schools to provide educational materials regarding the importance of Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 1174, which details the limitations on overtaking and passing school buses.
“At Rolling V, we understand that each parent puts their trust in us, and we take the job of providing student transportation very seriously,” Phil Vallone, President at Rolling V, added. “We applaud the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and the New York Association for Pupil Transportation in their effort to make the roads safer for children in our community.”
All violations and tickets from Operation Safe Stop Day are reported to a central command post so that final figures are readily available to state and local officials.
About Rolling V Bus Corp.:
Rolling V Bus Corp. provides full service school bus, charter bus and car services throughout the Catskills and New York City. Rolling V is a proud member of the New York School Bus Contractors Association and the American School Bus Council. The company is family-owned and operated by the Vallone and DeSabato families. The Vallone Family has been in the passenger transportation business for more than 50 years.
