Back to School time is here in Central New York and law enforcement agencies stand ready to keep kids safe. They’re reminding drivers of their duty to once again look-out for students and school buses and obey their flashing lights by stopping.
Police from across the county gathered with school officials in the North Syracuse Central School District on Wednesday, the day before the start of school in the district and many others.
James Snell, a Cicero Police Officer, who chairs and the Onondaga County Traffic Advisory Safety Board said that traffic safety during school time goes beyond just being vigilant.
“In addition to being very alert, obeying the traffic laws concerning school zones, stopped school buses, school zone, crossing guards, pedestrian crossing is critical. Motorists also need to be aware that Centro buses transport students, as well, within the City of Syracuse,” said Snell.
Steve Rotunno, Cicero Police Chief, said every year in New York State alone, approximately 50,000 vehicles passed stopped school buses. He said drivers’ minds are often elsewhere thinking about their job or family when they should be focused on safe driving.
He witnessed distracted driving involving a school bus recently.
“This past summer we were working a community event right here in Cicero. We had three marked cars out in front of a local business. We watched as a North Syracuse School District Bus picked up a student and a vehicle passes the bus when the lights were on. Three marked patrol cars out front and they still passed the school bus with the red lights flashing. Obviously, distracted.”
Chief Rotunno reminded drivers to pay attention and added they’ll be patrolling to make sure drivers are obeying the law to stop for school buses picking-up or dropping off students.
Local law enforcement is also reminding drivers to look for flashing School Speed Zone Signs that will be in effect from 7 AM to 6 PM daily and to obey all school crossing guards.
