East Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - State lawmakers are now looking to add more muscle to laws designed to get drivers to give school buses a break.
Heads of transportation departments from school districts throughout Central New York met on Wednesday at the East Syracuse-Minoa School District bus garage to discuss, among other things, making students’ rides to and from school safer.
The meeting was held after the New York State Senate approved multiple bills that are also aimed at school-bus safety.
One bill under consideration would increase the penalty for passing a stopped school bus. A repeat offender would have his license suspended for 60 days, pay a $1,000 fine, and have five penalty points added to his license.
Drivers currently face stiff fines and have points applied to their license. Lawmakers in favor of the new bill believe it would give laws regarding safety around school buses more teeth.
Drivers say enforcement is the key. They say sometimes it’s difficult for them to note offenders’ license plate numbers.
“The main thing is the student safety,” said Mexico School District bus driver Julie Bradish. “I’d rather be focusing on the student or the students at large than worrying about the license plate that just came through.”
During the meeting at ESM, every driver present confirmed that they had seen drivers pass their buses while they were stopped.
The current bill is waiting on a vote in the State Assembly.
