66°
According to an announcement by Yonkers Police Officer Frank Sabatino on Wednesday, Dec. 13, around 2,100 tickets have been issued to drivers in the city as part of the Yonkers Safe Stop program, which is meant to catch drivers who illegally pass school buses while the stop-arm is extended.
As part of the program, the city partnered with Verra Mobility to outfit 200 Yonkers school buses with the company's stop-arm enforcement solution. Beginning on Monday, Nov. 13, registered owners whose vehicles were seen passing buses were sent a notice of liability in the mail.
Around 450 more school bus stop-arm safety cameras are planned to be installed throughout the remainder of the year, city officials said.
"The goal here is for the safety of everyone involved with school buses," Sabatino said, adding, "It's about the safety of the children to get to school and from school safely."
Under New York law, the fine for passing a school bus can be $250 for a first violation, $275 if a second offense happens within an 18-month period, and $300 for every following offense if within an 18-month period.
"Please remember when the stop arm is out -- motorists must stop, even if there is a median," Yonkers officials said.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Yonkers and receive free news updates.
