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City police plan special school bus traffic enforcement

By Howard B. Owens

It's illegal to pass a stopped school bus with its stop signs flipped out and lights flashing, but apparently, some people still do it.

On Wednesday, the Batavia Police Department will engage in dedicated patrols aimed at enforcing the no-passing law.

It's part of a statewide effort called "Operation Safe Stop" funded by a grant.

"The objective of the traffic detail is to make drivers aware of the dangers of passing stopped school buses, to keep students safe while entering or exiting school buses," reads a department press release.

Police officers will be out in marked and unmarked cars on selected city school bus routes looking for violators where there have been complaints of vehicles passing stopped school buses. 

Police officers will also be conducting speed enforcement details in school zones.

The press release concludes, "Operation Safe-Stop is a statewide cooperative effort supported by the NYS Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, NYS Association of Public Transportation, NYS School Bus Contractors Association, First Student Bus Company and all law enforcement agencies."

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