It’s that time of year again in Central New York when law enforcement and school district officials issue their annual reminder to motorists to keep an eye out for children as they walk, bike, or get on the bus.
Onondaga County Sheriff Gene Conway urges motorists to have respect, courtesy, and patience.
"Over the last several months, there's been a focus on school safety. Rightly so. We've been focusing on ways to keep our students safe while they're in school. But today is about making sure they're safe going to and from school."
Conway is a member of the District Attorney Bill Fitzpatrick's School Safety Task Force, which has made recommendations on how to improve school security in light of the Parkland, Florida a school shooting.
School opens Wednesday for most students, and Executive Director of the New York Association of Pupil Transportation Peter Manella says buses will once again be making their rounds.
"They're pretty big and yellow. When they stop, they have a lot of flashing red lights and signs. Those of us who want to be humorous about this have to ask motorists, 'what are you missing?' We have these big yellow buses with all these lights on them. Just stop when you see red lights."
Bonnie Russell with the New York State Parent-Teacher Association says to take extra caution in the morning and afternoon when children are waiting for, and boarding and exiting buses.
"Fifty-thousand people pass a school bus in New York every single day. While it may take an extra few minutes to get to your destination, know that by taking that additional time, you are possibly saving a child's life."
Camillus Police Chief Tom Winn says West Genesee bus drivers report cars passing their stopped buses on a daily basis.
"Often times, the bus driver is able to capture the license plate. At the very minimum, we track the plate and the vehicle's owner and talk to them. Worst-case scenario, we track them down and issue them a ticket."
Winn says the same rules apply on school campuses…cars must stop for buses with their red lights flashing. Peter Manella with the Pupil Transportation Association says school districts have worked hard to make sure buses are maintained and that drivers and students are prepared.
"They've done driver refreshers for their drivers. They've prepared the routes through the communities. They're doing safety drills with the children so they know how to get on and off the bus, how to pay attention to the driver, what signals to wait for so they can be safe."
Now, he says, it’s up to motorists to simply stop when the red lights are flashing.
Police will be stepping up patrols in and around school zones to serve as a reminder to watch for children on their way to and from school.
