Law enforcement officers across New York state are participating in a crackdown on motorists who illegally pass school buses when they’re picking up or dropping off students.

State troopers, sheriff’s deputies and local police officers are taking part Thursday in Operation Safe Stop. They’ll be following behind school buses in marked and unmarked patrol vehicles on selected bus routes that have a history of illegal passing complaints.

Motorists caught passing stopped school buses will be issued tickets.

State police say all violations will be reported to a central command post so that final figures are available to state and local officials as well as the media.

(AP)