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Bus Safety Information

Stop Arm Camera Program

Brentwood UFSD along with all other school districts across Suffolk County have agreed to participate, authorizing the installation of cameras to record and ticket motorists who illegally pass a stopped school bus. The County’s Stop Arm Camera Program will enhance student safety across Suffolk County by curbing illegal driver behavior around stopped school buses, and ultimately better protect children as they enter and exit their school buses each day.

What You Should Know

  • The program will be enforced across all applicable lanes of traffic.
  • Motorists must stop in either direction when a stopped school bus has its red lights flashing and/or when the stop arm is deployed.
  • It is NOT a valid defense to illegally pass a stopped school bus if waved on by a bus driver.
  • Motor vehicle tickets are being issued by Suffolk County to all violators with minimum fines of $250 per offense. 

When Drivers Have to Stop For School Buses

Cars stopping for bus on two lane road
Two-lane road

When a school bus is stopped on a two-lane roadway without a median, all cars traveling in either direction must stop.

Cars stopping for bus on four lane road with median
Four or more lanes with median

If a bus is stopped on a multi-lane road with a median - whether it’s concrete, grass, or just an unpaved separation - cars traveling in either direction must stop.

Cars stopping for bus on four lane road without median
Four or more lanes without median

If the bus is on a road with four or more lanes without a median, all vehicles traveling in either direction must stop.

Cars stopping for bus on four lane road with center turn lane
Four or more lanes with center turn lane

When a school bus is stopped on a road with four or more lanes and a center turn lane, cars traveling in either direction must stop.

SOURCE: State Driver’s license manual and Education Week reporting

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Additional Information

New York State Department of Motor Vehicles - School Bus Safety

Suffolk County School Bus Safety Program

EducationWeek: When to Stop for School Buses: Downloadable Rules for Every State