You asked for general information on a school bus safety initiative called Operation Safe Stop. You wanted to know something about how the initiative operates in New York and if Connecticut participates in the program.

SUMMARY

Operation Safe Stop is an initiative designed to heighten public awareness of laws requiring motorists to stop for school buses picking up or discharging passengers and reduce such violations. In some places, it is conducted on a statewide basis, in others on a community basis. New York was the first to conduct a statewide Operation Safe Stop program. There was an Operation Safe Stop initiative in Connecticut at one time, but it appears not to have been conducted since approximately 2001. The primary sponsor of Operation Safe Stop in Connecticut used to be the Connecticut School Transportation Association (COSTA), an industry association of public and private school transportation providers. The program was modeled on the New York program and consisted of a combined media campaign and enhanced enforcement activities. However, it appears that COSTA stopped taking the lead on the initiative about four years ago and no other entity has stepped in to take over sponsorship and coordination. The reason for the discontinuation appears to be declining interest in participating from many of those involved.

NEW YORK OPERATION SAFE STOP

New York began its Operation Safe Stop as a pilot project in 1993. It is sponsored by the New York Association of Pupil Transportation (NYAPT). The program’s goal is to both educate motorists about the school bus stop law and to enforce the law. It involves all levels of government, numerous state and local agencies, media, and the student transportation industry.

New York Operation Safe Stop is organized locally on a county basis. The 62 counties are grouped into eight regions statewide. Each region has three coordinators—one from law enforcement, one from the county traffic safety board, and one from NYAPT.

New York Operation Safe Stop conducts both ongoing and periodic activities. On an ongoing basis, when school bus drivers see a stop law violation they complete a “Hot Spot Report” and give it to their transportation supervisor. The supervisors complete a “Hot Spot Summary” and periodically give it to the local police agency to monitor these hot spots. The transportation supervisors also periodically send copies of the drivers’ reports to the Department of Motor Vehicles. The motor vehicle agency sends a letter to the motorist observed passing the stopped school bus and states what the stop law requires. The motor vehicle agency also randomly distributes a flyer about the law with driver license renewals.

The main portion of Operation Safe Stop is a one-day statewide enforcement initiative. It is usually conducted on a day in October to coordinate with National School Bus Safety Week. Before the selected day, the NYAPT distributes an information package to the regional NYAPT coordinators who organize the regional awareness and enforcement efforts. These regional coordinators also track the results of the enforcement day and report back to the association.

On the chosen day, a public relations blitz is conducted through television, radio and print media. Media representatives are also invited to ride in buses and police cars following buses. Police officers may ride in buses, follow buses in patrol cars, or patrol hot spots. Local magistrates are notified of the enforcement effort and are asked to deny efforts at plea bargaining.

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