What's happening
This bill expands the law to require drivers to stop for school buses from any direction, not just either direction.
Why it matters
Broadens driver responsibility. By requiring all vehicles to stop for a school bus from “any” direction, not just “either,” the law covers more traffic scenarios—such as multi-lane roads, parking lots, or complex intersections—potentially closing loopholes that put children at risk.
Increases child safety. This change aims to further protect students boarding or leaving school buses by making it clear that drivers must always stop, regardless of their approach direction, reducing the chance of confusion and dangerous passing.
Impacts driver awareness and enforcement. The amendment could lead to more tickets or warnings for drivers who may not realize the expanded stop requirement, emphasizing the need for public education and possibly increased enforcement near schools and bus stops.
Affects private roads and school property. By specifically including parking areas, driveways, and other access points on school grounds, the law ensures that children are protected not just on public roads but also in areas where traffic laws might have previously been unclear or less strictly enforced.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Expand School Bus Passing Rules
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4118
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 3, 2017
Introduced by Sen. AKSHAR -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to expanding the direction when overtaking and passing a school bus
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision (a) of section 1174 of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by chapter 597 of the laws of 1990, is amended to read as follows:
(a) The driver of a vehicle upon a public highway, street or private road upon meeting or overtaking from [either] any direction any school bus marked and equipped as provided in subdivision twenty of section three hundred seventy-five of this chapter which has stopped on the public highway, street or private road for the purpose of receiving or discharging any passengers, or which has stopped because a school bus in front of it has stopped to receive or discharge any passengers, shall stop the vehicle before reaching such school bus when there is in operation on said school bus a red visual signal as specified in subdivision twenty of section three hundred seventy-five of this chapter and said driver shall not proceed until such school bus resumes motion, or until signaled by the driver or a police officer to proceed. For the purposes of this section, and in addition to the provisions of section one hundred thirty-four of this chapter, the term "public highway" shall mean any area used for the parking of motor vehicles or used as a driveway located on the grounds of a school or of a board of cooperative educational services facility or any area used as a means of access to and egress from such school or facility.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09748-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to expanding the direction when overtaking and passing a school bus
Purpose
To ensure the safety of children exiting or entering a school bus by prohibiting drivers of vehicles from overtaking or passing a school bus from any direction.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends the vehicle and traffic law to read that any driver of a vehicle upon a public highway, street or private road must stop their vehicle before reaching a school bus at any direction when there is a red visual signal. Said driver shall not proceed until the school bus resumes motion or if the driver or police officer signals to proceed.
Section 2 is the effective date.
Justification
According to the New York Association for Pupil transportation, approximately 50,000 motor vehicles illegally pass NYS school buses every day. In the current vehicle and traffic law, the language only specifies that drivers are prohibited from overtaking or passing a stopped school bus when directly in front of or behind the bus. This bill changes the language from `either" direction to "any" direction, making it clear to motorists that passing a school bus from any direction is illegal.
Legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.