It’s hard to believe that summer is nearly over and children will be heading back to school in just a few weeks. With that in mind, I want to take this opportunity to remind motorists about school bus safety guidelines and laws.

With school buses back on the road after Labor Day, students will be walking along side the road and waiting for buses. Please watch carefully for children near school buildings, in areas where school buses are traveling, or where there are signs for school zones or bus stops. Remember that if you are approaching a school bus from either the front or behind, and its yellow lights are flashing, the bus is preparing to stop.

If the bus’ red lights are flashing, you must stop! It is the law. This includes school buses that are: on the opposite sides of divided highways, on multiple lane roadways, in parking lots, and on school grounds. The only exception to this law is if the bus driver or a police officer waves you on. Penalties for passing a stopped school bus could be as harsh as a maximum fine of $1000 and 180 days in jail.

Just a reminder—I invite you to join me and Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb at a Town Hall meeting on Tuesday, September 13 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Town of LeRay Municipal Office, 8650 LeRay Street in Evans Mills. We will be having an important conversation about the “People’s Convention to Reform New York”, a non-partisan grassroots reform effort that will benefit taxpayers like you.

Seating is limited, so RSVP for this Town Hall today by calling Kathleen Lisson in the Assembly Minority Office of Public Affairs at (518) 455-5073. Then visit www.reformny.org to join nearly 2,500 New Yorkers who support a “People’s Convention.”

I look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, September 13 at this special Town Hall meeting. Together, we will move another step closer to the less costly, more affordable New York state we deserve!

If you cannot attend this special Town Hall Meeting, then feel free to contact me at my district office at 315-493-3909, 15 Bridge St., West Carthage, or email me at blankenbushk@assembly.state.ny.us.