School Bus Stop Light Violators Targeted in Orange County, NY

Police continue to conduct enforcement details that target school bus stops in Orange County, New York.

As the school year comes to a close, many law enforcement agencies in the Hudson Valley are reminding drivers that they are out in full force at area school bus stops to make sure all drivers follow the law when passing a stopped school bus.

School Bus Stop Light Enforcement in Middletown, NY

The City of Middletown Police Department (MPD) has announced the results of its "School Bus Enforcement Detail", which the department conducted on Thursday, June 6, 2025. The detail targeted specific school bus stops in Middletown by using data collected from the Orange County Department of Emergency Services School Bus Safety Program, which has equipped buses within the Middletown Enlarged City School District with stop-arm activated cameras that automatically capture traffic violators.

Once MPD highlighted the problem bus stops, they placed marked and unmarked patrol vehicles in those areas to monitor vehicle traffic.

Police Target Orange County, NY Bus Stops

According to MPD, officers issued 54 traffic tickets during the one-day operation, including 4 for school bus stop-arm violations. Three drivers were arrested for aggravated unlicensed operation, and multiple drivers were issued other equipment and moving violations.

School Bus Safety Program in Orange County, NY

The School Bus Safety Program began in May of 2024, and since then, more than 15,000 violations have been issued across Orange County, making it clear that law enforcement needs to be able to take stronger enforcement action.

School Bus Stop Law in New York

The New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law requires that motorists stop at least 20 feet from a stopped school bus when its red lights are flashing. Motorists who don't follow the law and receive a violation from police face 7 points on their driver’s license, increased insurance rates, and a court-imposed fine.

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If a motorist receives a civil summons in the mail through the School Safety Program, they will face a $250 penalty, with no impact on the driver's license points or insurance rates. These summonses are automatically issued to the registered owner of a vehicle after being reviewed by School Safety Program personnel.