Walorski sponsors bipartisan bill to improve school bus safety

U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN) on April 10 sponsored the bipartisan Stop for School Buses Act to prevent the illegal passing of school buses.

“Every driver has a responsibility to exercise caution when students are present, and that includes never passing a school bus that is stopped with red lights flashing or its stop arm extended,” Rep. Walorski said. “The Stop for School Buses Act will help our states and local communities take the most effective actions to prevent illegal passing of school buses and ensure students are safe when traveling to and from school.”

H.R. 2218, which is cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Julia Brownley (D-CA), would direct the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to review existing laws and programs, recommend best practices, and create a nationwide public safety campaign, according to Rep. Walorski.

The congresswoman unveiled H.R. 2218 at last week’s Rochester School Corporation demonstration of newly installed school bus cameras that start filming any illegal passing once the bus stop arm is extended, according to her office. 

Rep. Walorski also met with the parents of three siblings who died last year as they walked to their bus in Fulton County, Ind., and were struck by a vehicle illegally passing a school bus that had its stop arm extended.

“The tragic loss of young Hoosiers in bus-related crashes last year, including in Fulton County, was a reminder that life is precious and that we all need to work together to keep children safe,” Rep. Walorski said.

If enacted, H.R. 2218 would require DOT to compile illegal passing laws in all states, as well as data on enforcement and penalties; review existing public safety measures and programs for prevention; issue recommendations on best practices for preventing illegal passing; and review driver education materials in all states to determine if more information about illegal passing should be provided to drivers, among other provisions.

Blake Krapf, president of the National School Transportation Association, said that the organization “stands ready to help build support for the bill as it moves through Congress.”