Lawmakers May Allow Cameras To Capture School Bus Passers

Tuesday, March 19, 2019 at 12:09 PM

By Mike Perleberg @mikedup84

The deaths of children at school bus stops has prompted action by Indiana lawmakers.

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - Schools across Indiana are a big step closer to having to add cameras to the school buses.

Senate Bill 2 received 49-0 support in the Senate on February 18. The Indiana House will debate the idea next.

The legislation would allow schools to add cameras to school buses in an effort to catch drivers who pass a bus when it is stopped to pick up or drop off children. Lawmakers said they plan to share money from the tickets generated by the cameras to help schools pay for the cameras.

SB 2 would also increase the penalty for drivers illegally passing school buses, as well as suspending their driving privileges. Additionally, it would create a level 5 felony charge for drivers who cause a death when illegally passing.

State Senator Randy Head (R-Logansport) authored the legislation. Three children in his district were killed last October by a driver who did not stop for a bus which was picking them up for school.

“In 2018, four children lost their lives in accidents involving school buses in our area, causing the families and our entire community great pain,” Head said in February. “The lives of Hoosier children are sacred, and everyone needs to make sure they are paying attention to their surroundings when on the road. I am hopeful this legislation, if passed, would help prevent similar accidents from occurring in the future.”

SB 2 is currently awaiting a vote in the House Courts and Criminal Code Committee.