Middle Island, NY - April 22, 2016 - For the past fourteen years Longwood School District has been a leader in bringing awareness to the importance of stopping for school buses and saving lives. Each year the school hosts “Operation Safe Stop” to educate students and drivers about how to keep our children safe while riding to and from school. Legislator Kate Browning (WF-Shirley), a former school bus driver, joined law enforcement, elected officials and students at this year’s event at Longwood Middles School on Thursday, April 21.
Illegal passing is a dangerous and widespread traffic safety problem that results in injuries and fatalities among our school children. It is estimated that motorists pass stopped school buses more than 50,000 times each day across New York State. “Operation Safe Stop Day” focuses on the dangers of illegal passing of school buses by motorists, and seeks to promote school bus safety through education and enforcement efforts. It is organized by Gale Winsper, who has led the transportation department at Longwood Central School District for the past 14 years. She received an award from the New York Association for Pupil Transportation in 2014 for her efforts to increase school bus safety.
In addition, the Longwood School District has also been leading the way for stop arm cameras on buses to better enforce violations. The school installed cameras on three buses as a pilot program, and has been providing data to support State legislation that would implement a camera program here in Suffolk County. Legislator Browning has been a strong advocate and supporter for the state legislation, which has to be approved in the State Legislature.
“As a former school bus driver I know all too well the dangers of vehicles not abiding by the law and stopping,” stated Legislator Browning. “Operation Safe Stop has helped raise awareness for this important safety issue, and I applaud Longwood School District for being a leader on this issue in New York State. It only takes a few moments out of your day to stop for a bus and ensure our children are safe.”
