A New York school bus driver saved a young girl’s life after a careless driver sped past the bus’s stop sign while students were exiting at a stop. The incident was captured on a doorbell video and shared by the Manlius Police Department, showing the bus driver stopping to drop off the student on Thursday afternoon. Despite other cars stopping to allow the students to exit, a gold/tan Toyota Camry is seen speeding around the school bus’s right side directly in the students’ path. The bus driver, known as “Ms. Debbie,” quickly grabbed the girl by her backpack and yanked her back inside the bus, preventing a potentially fatal accident.
Witnesses saw a woman walking toward the bus when the driver sped past, causing her to freeze in fear. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as the driver fled the area. The police department urged the driver to come forward, and they were reviewing video footage to identify the driver. Fayetteville is roughly 10 miles outside downtown Syracuse. Despite the alarming incident, many people praised the quick-thinking bus driver, Miss Debbie, for her diligence and prioritization of children’s safety. Parents of children on the bus expressed gratitude for her cautious behavior, which likely saved lives.
In New York, around 50,000 motor vehicles illegally pass school buses every day, according to state statistics. Those found guilty of illegally passing a school bus face fines ranging from $250 to $1000 and possible jail time. A conviction adds five points to the driver’s license. Furthermore, if a driver kills a student or any person while illegally passing a school bus, they can be charged with vehicular manslaughter, a class C felony that carries a maximum of 15 years in prison. These penalties are in place to deter drivers from endangering the lives of students as they enter or exit school buses.
According to the National Safety Council, from 2021 to 2022, there were an estimated 489,748 school buses transporting about 20.5 million elementary and secondary school students daily throughout the United States. Unfortunately, there were 108 people killed nationwide in school bus-related crashes during that time, a 50% increase from the 54 reported deaths in 2020. These statistics highlight the importance of ensuring the safety of students as they travel to and from school each day. Incidents like the one involving the heroic bus driver in New York serve as reminders of the dangers posed by reckless drivers and the need for stringent penalties to protect vulnerable road users.
The video of the near-fatal incident involving the New York school bus driver has sparked outrage among viewers and underscored the critical role that bus drivers play in protecting children’s lives. Many people have expressed gratitude for the quick actions of Miss Debbie, recognizing her commitment to the safety of the children on her bus. Parents have attested to feeling 100% safe with their children under her care, emphasizing the importance of having vigilant and responsible bus drivers. The incident also serves as a reminder of the need for increased awareness and enforcement of laws regulating school bus safety to prevent future tragedies.
As the investigation continues to identify the driver who illegally passed the school bus in New York, the focus remains on holding accountable those who put the lives of students at risk through reckless driving. The penalties for illegally passing a school bus are severe, reflecting the seriousness of the offense and the potential consequences of such negligent behavior. By enforcing these laws and raising awareness about the importance of school bus safety, authorities aim to protect students and prevent avoidable accidents on the road. The heroic actions of the bus driver in this incident highlight the dedication of school bus drivers to ensuring the well-being of the children in their care, even in the face of dangerous situations.
