It’s the first day of school in the Southold, Mattituck-Cutchogue, and Oysterponds school districts, with Greenport students starting tomorrow, and as the first bells ring, Southold Town is urging motorists to drive safely and be aware of children getting on and off buses.
“School’s back in session and that means it’s time to study up on school bus safety,” town officials said in a release.
To that tend, the town published a refresher list of school bus safety reminders:
• It is illegal — and very dangerous — to pass a stopped school bus when the large red lights located on top of the bus are flashing and stop arms extended. Flashing lights mean the bus is picking up or discharging students.
• You must stop whether you are approaching the school bus from the front or overtaking it from the rear.
• You must always stop for flashing red lights, even on divided and multilane highways such as County Road 48 and on all school grounds.
• The first-time fine for illegally passing a school bus is a $250 to $400 fine, 5 points on your license, and/or possibly 30 days in jail.
“Worse yet, the memory of hitting or killing a child may be one you carry for the rest of your life,” officials said.
