The start of the New York State Fair signals it’s almost “Back to School” time. School buses will be back on the roads, and students walking along the side of the road and waiting for buses. The following information is provided by Madison County Sheriff Allen Riley for the safety of our young people:

Please watch carefully for children near school buildings, in areas where school buses are traveling or where there are signs for school zones or bus stops.

Remember that if you are approaching a school bus from either the front or behind, and its yellow lights are flashing, the bus is preparing to stop.

If the buses red lights are flashing, you must stop. It’s the law! The only exception to this law is if the bus driver or a police officer signals that you may pass the bus.

This includes school buses that are: on the opposite sides of divided highways; on multiple lane roadways; in parking lots, or on school grounds.

For over 23 million students nationwide, the school day begins and ends with a trip on a school bus. The greatest risk is not riding the bus, but approaching or leaving the bus. Before children go back to school or start school for the first time, it is essential that adults and children are familiar with some safety rules:

Drivers

• When backing out of a driveway or leaving a garage, watch out for children walking or bicycling to school.
• When driving in neighborhoods with school zones, watch out for young people who may be thinking about getting to school, but may not be thinking of getting there safely.
• Slow down. Watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in neighborhood.
• Slow down. Watch for children playing and congregating near bus stops.
• Be alert. Children arriving late for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic.
• Learn the “flashing signal light system” that school bus drivers use to alert motorists of pending actions:
• Yellow flashing lights indicate that the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop their vehicles.
• Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate that the bus has stopped, and that children are getting on or off. Motorists must stop their cars and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop sign is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving before they can start driving again.

Children

• Get to the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. Dress for the weather.
• When the bus approaches, stand at least three giant steps (6 feet) away from the curb, and line up away from the street. Don’t approach the bus until it comes to a complete stop
• Wait until the bus stops, the door opens, and the driver says that it’s okay before stepping onto the bus.
• If you have to cross the street in front of the bus, walk on the sidewalk or along the side of the road to a point at least five giant steps (10 feet) ahead of the bus before you cross. Be sure that the bus driver can see you, and you can see the bus driver.
• Use the handrails to avoid falls. When exiting the bus, be careful that clothing with draw-strings and book bags with straps don’t get caught in the handrails or doors.
• Never walk behind the bus.
• Walk at least three giant steps away from the side of the bus.
• If you drop something near the bus, tell the bus driver. Never try to pick it up because the driver may not be able to see you.

PENALTIES FOR ILLEGALLY PASSING A STOPPED SCHOOL BUS WITH ITS RED LIGHTS FLASHING ARE

✓First Conviction: $250 to $400 fine — 5 points on your license — up to 30 days possible imprisonment.

✓Second conviction (within three years): $600 to $750 fine — 5 points on your license — up to 180 days possible imprisonment.

✓Third or subsequent convictions (within three years): $750 to $1,000 fine — 5 points on your license — up to 180 days possible imprisonment.

School Speed Zones

Whenever maximum school speed limits have been established on a highway adjacent to a school, no person shall drive in excess of such maximum school speed limits during school days between the hours of seven o’clock A.M. and six o’clock P.M. or if the beacons attached to the school zone speed limit sign are flashing and such sign is equipped with a notice that indicates that the school zone speed limit is in effect when such beacons are flashing.

Penalties for drivers caught speeding in school zones can bring fines of from $45 to $600 per incident, cost anywhere from 3 to 8 points on your driver’s license, and bring up to 30 days in prison. Fines increase if a person is convicted of more than one speed violation in 18 months. License is revoked for three convictions in 18 months.  Fines may vary for speeding in school zone or restricted highway.