Putnam To Start Fining Drivers Who Pass School Buses

Beginning on Sunday, April 28, drivers who pass a stopped school bus with flashing red lights in Putnam County will receive a violation notice in the mail, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office announced on Wednesday, April 24.

These notices will contain a $250 fine for the first offense, which will increase for further violations.

The announcement follows the beginning of the county's bus patrol program on Monday, April 1, which has been in a warning period. Since the start of the program, over 300 warning notices have been issued, the Sheriff's Office said.

So far, the Brewster, Carmel, and Mahopac school districts are participating and have had most of their bus fleets outfitted with camera systems.

"The safety of our children is of the utmost importance," said Putnam County Sheriff Kevin McConville, who continued, "Drivers are reminded that they should begin to slow down as they approach a school bus with the yellow lights flashing in anticipation of the bus stopping and children either entering or exiting the bus.”

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