NY Launches Statewide Campaign To Crack Down On Drivers Who Illegally Pass School Buses

HAPPAUGE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) - Operation Safe Stop, a statewide campaign to crack down on motorists who illegally pass school buses when children are being dropped off or picked up, is launching Thursday.

School bus drivers tell WCBS 880's Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs it's a huge problem.

"It's every day, people are in a rush to get to work, the stop sign is out and they pass the buses," one driver said.

"It's disgusting and it's ridiculous. It's dangerous," another said.

Listen to NY Launches Statewide Campaign To Crack Down On Drivers Who Illegally Pass School Buses

Over the past four years, 35 students were struck by motorists illegally passing buses statewide, Xirinachs reported.

"We carry the most precious cargo, people's children," another bus driver told WCBS 880.

It's estimated 50,000 vehicles illegally pass school buses every day.