School Bus Safety Bill Heads To Gov. Holcomb's Desk

The proposal would hand down tougher penalties to Indiana drivers who pass stopped school buses.

(Indianapolis, Ind.) – With the stroke of a pen, Indiana drivers will soon face tougher penalties for passing stopped school buses.

The Indiana House and Senate both voted in favor of Senate Bill 2 on Tuesday.

Under the legislation, a judge could suspend a driver’s license for 90 days the first time a driver is convicted of recklessly passing a stopped school bus.

More serious felony offenses would be put in place for anyone who injures or kills someone while passing a school bus.

The bill would also allow school corporations, charter schools or non-public schools to install and operate school bus stop arm cameras in an effort to catch drivers who pass a bus while stopped.

Legislators were urged to strive for tougher penalties after three siblings were killed by a driver who negated to stop for a school bus as it was picking up the children near Rochester, Indiana in October 2018.

Those tougher penalties could become a reality very soon, as the bill heads to Governor Holcomb's desk to be signed into law. 

RELATED STORIES:

Lawmakers May Allow Cameras To Capture School Bus Passers

Indiana Mother Fighting To Make School Bus Stops Safer