Walorski, Young help raise awareness of school bus safety

U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN) and U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) learned about new technologies that can prevent illegal passing of stopped school buses during a National School Bus Safety Week live demonstration.

“Today’s event was an important opportunity to learn more about innovative technologies that can help prevent drivers from illegally passing school buses and to discuss our bipartisan efforts in Congress to ensure students are safe on their way to and from school,” Rep. Walorski said on Wednesday following the school bus safety technology showcase hosted by the National School Transportation Association (NSTA).

Sen. Young pointed out that Oct. 30 marks the one-year anniversary of the tragic deaths of three young Hoosiers in a bus-related crash in Fulton County, Ind.

“We cannot accept accidents like this as routine,” said Sen. Young. “Today was an opportunity to raise support for the Stop for School Buses Act and spread awareness for the much-needed review of existing safety laws surrounding our school buses.”

Sen. Young in April sponsored the bipartisan, bicameral STOP for School Buses Act of 2019, S. 1254, with cosponsor U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), while Rep. Walorski sponsored her chamber’s identical version, H.R. 2218, with U.S. Rep. Julia Brownley (D-CA).

If enacted, the proposal would direct the U.S. Department of Transportation to conduct research on and implement certain safety measures and programs to prevent illegal passing of school buses, and create a nationwide public safety campaign.

“Every driver shares the roads with school buses, and we all have a role to play in keeping kids safe,” Rep. Walorski said. “The STOP for School Buses Act will help states and local communities take the most effective actions to prevent tragedies and save lives.”

John Benish, Jr., president of NSTA, said during the organization’s demonstration event on Wednesday that the group looks forward to helping get the bill across the finish line. Benish also said NSTA was “very happy” to host the showcase with the lawmakers during National School Bus Safety Week.