New legislation that aims to protect students around the school bus won approval from the Assembly Education Committee in New Jersey. Sponsored by Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and David W. Wolfe, A-2150 would permit municipalities and school districts to install video monitoring systems on buses’ stop arms to more easily prosecute motorists who unlawfully pass buses that are stopped during loading and unloading.
Specifically, the measure would establish a five-year pilot program to allow municipalities and school districts to contract with private vendors to install, operate and maintain video cameras on their school buses to assist in enforcement of school bus stop laws. After cameras record alleged violations, footage would be forwarded to the city’s chief law enforcement officer, who would verify a violation has occurred and issue a summons to the motorist.
The legislation also increases the penalties for illegally passing a halted school buses with stop arms extended and flashing lights from $100 to between $300 and $500. Current law calls for a $100 fine and up to 15 days in jail or community service, and for a second or subsequent violation, a minimum fine of $250 and up to 15 days in jail.
“Picking up and discharging passengers is the most dangerous time for school bus drivers and their students. Common sense dictates that when motorists see a stopped school bus with its lights flashing and its ‘stop’ sign out, they should stop and wait until the bus shuts off all its warning signals and begins to pull away before proceeding. Ignorance of the law is no excuse,” McGuckin said in a statement.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 27 percent of school-age pedestrians fatally injured between 2000 and 2009 were struck by a non-bus vehicle. According to NHTSA’s latest report, twice as many children perish as pedestrians in school transportation-related traffic accidents each year, as compared to those who are passengers on student transportation vehicles — 10 versus five, on average.
“These are preventable deaths. It’s very difficult for school bus drivers to gather information on motorists who unlawfully pass their buses,” explained Wolfe. “They aren’t sitting there with a pad and pen in hand. They are focused on the students getting on and off the bus and the safety of all their passengers. Equipping buses with video systems will serve as an effective public safety tool.”
A similar bill (SB0923) passed the Illinois Legislature May 31, and the New York Senate Transportation Committee is currently reviewing the “School Bus Camera Safety Act” (S.5028), which would strengthen penalties so repeat offenders lose their driver’s licenses. Seven states passed laws in 2011 to allow cameras on school bus stop arms to better identify and prosecute drivers who illegally pass buses engaged in loading and unloading.
