Police are out in full force, stepping up patrols near school bus stops.

The program is called "Operation Safe Stop," and it's part of a statewide effort to remind people about the rules of the road when it comes to school buses.

County police set up at Somers High School Thursday morning to plan their strategy for the day. Officers are looking for drivers who pass stopped school buses that have their flashing red lights going.

They say driving around the buses puts children's lives at risk. Coming upon a bus with flashing lights and the stop sign extended, drivers are required to stop whether approaching the bus from the front or behind. "We especially want those drivers to remember when they see the flashing lights and the stop signs they have to stop," says Westchester County Police Officer Kathleen Cristiano.

Drivers who get caught could be fined up to $400 plus five points on their license. Offenders could even face up to 30 days in jail.