Cops: Don't Stop for School Buses, Here's 5 Points

East Hampton Town police took part in a state-wide initiative last week to crack down on drivers who snub their noses at school bus stops.

Two drivers were ticketed for passing stopped school buses and 20 others were issued summonses for other traffic violations during Operation Safe Stop on Wednesday.

In its second year taking part in the Safe Stop, the department used some of an $8,300 Selective Traffic Enforcement Program grant from the state to put eight officers on the morning and afternoon shifts to concentrate on areas that bus drivers identified as problems: such as Springs-Fireplace, Three Mile Harbor, and Kings Point Roads, as well as Fort Pond Boulevard, Accabonac Highway, and Woodbine Drive.

Lt. Tom Grenci, who organized the town's effort, said he knows first hand why such initiatives are worthwhile to remind drivers that obeying the stop sign buses put out as it picks-up and drops-off children -- no matter what direction you're heading in -- is of the utmost importance.

In 2007, Grenci had just gotten off duty and was picking up his then 11 year old daughter off the late sports bus in Montauk when a parent's worse nightmare almost unfolded.

"This 1997 Subaru wagon just blew right by the bus. The bus driver shut the door just as my daughter Eva was about to come out," Grenci recalled."Thank god the bus driver had his wits about him."

He called headquarters for a marked unit to stop the driver, who turned out to be drinking and driving and was ultimately charged with aggravated DWI.

Perfectly sober drivers are just as guilty of passing buses unloading students, Grenci said.

Ed Bletterman, the director of transporation for East Hampton School District, said his drivers often report drivers ignoring their stop signals. "It always happens in the same areas, mainly in the mornings," he said. "People are in a rush to get to work and they get stuck behind buses on, say Three Mile Harbor for example, and the bus stops every few blocks to pick-up kids."

As dawn broke on Wednesday morning, Police Officer Frank V. Trotta Jr., watched for motorists' brakes as children boarded school buses in the problem areas. He couldn't help but think of his own four kids. "It's so dangerous for them. They're not looking for cars that are about to go around the bus. Look at that girl -- she's worried about her hair."

Bletterman said he thinks drivers just get caught up in their own world. "Either they don't pay attention or they're day-dreaming," he said. "I can't make excuses for them, it's ridiculous." But, it's a problem he's seen wherever he's worked. "It's a problem across the island, across the whole county."

Operation Safe Stop Day has been supported by the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee since 2003. The New York Association for Pupil Transportation works with over 100 law enforcement agencies, as well as state agencies and school bus safety organizations to gather results.

Officers patrol in marked and unmarked units. In 2010, over 900 officers were assigned to the one day event. According to the transportation association, officers handed out 1,440 tickets for passing a school bus, a decrease since by over 250 since 2009. However, they increased the number of tickets written overall to 2,266.

Those convicted of illegally passing a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing -- the first time -- are subject to fines of $25o to $400, five points on their license, and up to 30 days in jail.

Chief Ed Ecker said he was glad the department takes part in the program, even though officers caught just two violators. "If they're not doing it, that's great. But, obviously our children of the community are the most precious commodity to each and everyone of us," he said.