Suffolk to participate in Operation Safe Stop to crack down on illegal school bus passing

Aaron and Rich, more than 73,000 citations were issued to drivers last year for illegally passing stopped school buses. It's something that parents see every day when their kids get picked up or dropped off to school. So today, Suffolk County leaders will actually be here at Saxon Middle School in Patchogue to announce their participation in this enforcement effort. It's called Operation Safe Stop. The statewide program aims to promote school bus safety through education and enforcement. The state says 50,000 drivers pass school buses illegally each day. During the operation, police officers typically ride school buses and are in patrol cars along bus routes that have a history of illegally passing complaints. Now, officers will then issue tickets to their drivers who are caught during their patrols. According to the state, your first offense could cost you up to $400, five points on your license, and even up to 30 days in jail. A second and third offense could result in six months in prison and a $1,000 fine. We're speaking with people in the area this morning about the initiative. I think it's very important that they crack down on that. You know, these are our children in our streets, you know, and we're the adults, we're the responsible ones. And, you know, everyone, it doesn't matter how important it is to get to your destination. You know, our children are our number one priority. And the Suffolk County Executive and Suffolk Police will be here later this morning announcing this enforcement effort, addressing this issue, and asking the public to help keep students safe. Erin Rich.