East Hudson Valley News

Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino announced that Hyde Park Central School District (HPCSD) driver Linda Lawlor has been named the recipient of the 21st Dutchess County School Bus Driver of the Year Award. Recognizing Lawlor's outstanding service and safety record, the award is part of the Dutchess County Traffic Safety Board's efforts to promote school bus safety.

In light of the upcoming Safe Stop Education and Enforcement Day, County, state, and local law enforcement agencies will be monitoring school buses to identify and ticket drivers who fail to obey the flashing red lights on a stopped school bus. County Executive Serino emphasized the importance of prioritizing children's safety during school transportation, stating, “Children are our most precious passengers, and they deserve a safe ride to and from school each day."

Ms. Lawlor, who has been a school bus driver for 18 years, including the last 10 for the HPCSD, was honored at the Operation Safe Stop kickoff press conference. She expressed her dedication to safe driving, highlighting the challenges and importance of her role in ensuring the safe transportation of students. Ms. Lawlor stated, "Our job is to get your children to and from school safely. I know that is my goal every day!"

The Dutchess County Traffic Safety Board's School Bus Driver of the Year award aims to promote school bus safety through education and enforcement efforts. The annual award recognizes the crucial role of school bus drivers in ensuring the safe transportation of children to and from school.

Additionally, Dutchess County's school bus camera safety program, in collaboration with BusPatrol LLC, aims to enforce adherence to the State law requiring motorists to stop when a school bus has its red lights flashing. The program, provided at no cost to local taxpayers, has seen participation from nine out of the 13 school districts within Dutchess County.

According to the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, an estimated 50,000 motorists illegally pass stopped school buses every day in New York State, posing a significant risk to the lives and safety of children. Through initiatives like the School Bus Driver of the Year award and Operation Safe Stop Education and Enforcement Day, Dutchess County continues to prioritize school bus safety.