Suffolk Slams Brakes on School Bus Scofflaws

According to the letter of the law, when a school bus flashes its red lights, drivers must stop. Suffolk County officials say too many motorists are ignoring the law, putting children at risk.

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine joined Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina, lawmakers and school officials at Saxton Middle School in Patchogue to announce Operation Safe Stop, a campaign combining public education with increased police enforcement.

“Suffolk County has taken a comprehensive approach in the last few years to make our roads safer and reduce reckless driving,” Romaine said.

“Operation Safe Stop is a necessary tool to ensure motorists understand the rules of the road and stop for flashing red lights. By partnering with law enforcement and our school districts, we are keeping our students safe.”

The numbers are staggering. Suffolk County issued approximately 83,000 school bus violations in 2024 and more than 73,000 in 2025.

Statewide, an estimated 50,000 vehicles illegally pass stopped school buses daily. Police officers will ride school buses and patrol trouble spots, issuing tickets to drivers who ignore flashing red lights.

“The safety of our students is our priority, and we have to make sure they can get to school and return home safely,” Catalina said.

“This week serves as a reminder that we are going to be out there on the roads, and this will be a zero-tolerance effort by the department.”

Penalties include fines ranging from $250 to $1,000, five license points and possible jail time.

Patchogue-Medford Superintendent Patrick Harrigan stressed that every motorist shares responsibility.

“No appointment, no meeting, no destination is more important than the life of a child,” Harrigan said.

New York law requires drivers traveling in both directions to stop for flashing school bus red lights, even on divided highways.

Motorists must remain stopped until the red lights stop flashing and the bus resumes moving.