New Jersey Acting Gov. Kim Guadagno recognized the passage of a law at a Tuesday ceremony, that will require all newly manufactured school buses in the state to be equipped with front and rear motion sensors.
Abigail’s Law was spurred by the 2003 death of two-year-old Abigail Kuberiet, who was hit by a school bus she walked in front of. The driver reportedly could not see her from the seat. While there were attempts to pass a similar bill several years ago, the appropriate technology did not become available until recently. Gov. Chris Christie signed the bill into law earlier this year.
“We wish that this tragedy had never happened, but we can be comforted knowing that we have taken steps to ensure that what happened to Abigail never happens to another child here in New Jersey,” said Acting Governor Guadagno. “As a result of this law, all newly manufactured school buses will have both frontal and rear motion sensors enabling drivers to operate buses more safely for our children in the future.”
Also present at the ceremony were Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan, the bill’s prime sponsor, and Abigail’s father, Christopher Kuberiet, who is first assistant prosecutor for Middlesex County. Acting Governor Guadagno provided Kuberiet with a certified copy of the bill.
“From a great and inconceivable misfortune, we finally have a simple, life-saving technology that can help protect students, drivers and pedestrians and prevent another New Jersey family from losing a child,” said Diegnan. “I am appreciative of the Acting Governor for her visit and words of comfort that may help assuage the continued bereavement of the Kuberiet family and by the passage of Abigail’s Law leave them with only the cherished memory of their angel Abigail.”
Abigail’s father expressed hope.
“Today is a very, very bittersweet day. Bitter to the extent that we are here in light of a tragedy but it is a sweet day to recognize that hopefully through this legislation a child will be saved in Abigail’s memory. That is very, very important,” he said.
