Short summary: New York is running increased school bus patrols through October 23 as part of National School Bus Safety Week, and drivers who pass a stopped bus with flashing red lights generally face fines from $250 up to $1,000, plus 5 points on their license. If a child or driver gets hurt because someone didn't stop, that violation can generally matter a lot for who pays afterward.
The DMV and the state's Governor's Traffic Safety Committee are reminding drivers this week: when you see those red lights flashing on a school bus, you stop. Period.
Officials say they've already caught drivers on video blowing past stopped buses with kids boarding or getting off. That's exactly what Operation Safe Stop, the state's enforcement push, is built to catch.
What the Law Actually Requires
In New York, you generally have to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights no matter where you are: a two-lane road, a divided highway, a parking lot, or school grounds. Yellow lights mean the bus is about to stop, so slow down before it starts flashing red.
The fines add up fast:
- First offense: generally $250 to $400
- Second offense within three years: up to $750
- Third offense within three years: up to $1,000, plus possible jail time
- Every conviction adds 5 points to your license
If a Crash Happens Because Someone Didn't Stop
A ticket is one thing. An actual crash is another. If a driver blows past a stopped bus and hits a child, another driver, or a pedestrian, that violation generally becomes powerful evidence of who was at fault.
But evidence doesn't pay medical bills by itself. If you or your child were hurt in a crash involving a school bus, car, or anything else on the road, here's what to do after a car accident in New York to protect the claim from day one.
And if the at-fault driver never stops, you may be dealing with a hit-and-run on top of everything else. Here's what that situation generally looks like.
Questions New Yorkers ask us
Do I really have to stop on a divided highway too?
Yes. New York law generally requires drivers to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights in both directions, even on a road with a median, unless there's a physical barrier separating the lanes.
What if the bus hit my car, not the other way around?
It still matters who had the red lights on and who was supposed to stop. Fault generally depends on the full picture, not just which vehicle made contact. Talk to a professional before you talk to the adjuster.
Does a ticket mean the driver automatically pays for my injuries?
Not automatically. A citation helps show fault, but getting paid for an injury generally still requires a separate claims process. That's generally worth getting help with early.
Not sure where you stand after a crash? Get your free case review or call (347) 526-1246. A real person answers, 24/7.
Reporting: New York State DMV.
