State Senator Theresa Gavarone, R-Bowling Green, has introduced the “School Bus Safety Act,” legislation
that will bring more awareness to school bus safety issues and increase penalties for people who violate
laws designed to protect students while going to and from school.
The Columbus Dispatch reported that between 2015 and 2017 there were 4,306 accidents involving a school
bus and 4,198 drivers cited for failing to stop for a school bus that was loading or unloading children.
School administrators, law enforcement and parents believe that impatience, more than ignorance of
current laws regarding improperly passing a school bus, is to blame.
Under the bill, the fine for improperly passing a school bus will double. For repeat offenders, the fine
will increase $250 and include a rise in level of driver’s license suspension for each violation. The
legislation will also enhance the penalty for vehicular homicide or vehicular assault if the offender
hits or kills a student as a result of improperly passing a school bus.
“Recent accidents involving children from schools in my district has made school bus safety an even
bigger focus of mine,” Gavarone said. “This bill is going to bring more awareness to the issue and
increase penalties for people who blatantly disregard laws that have been proven to protect our
children.”
In November, area bus drivers and transportation directors met to discuss the growing concern of drivers
ignoring red flashing lights on a bus when it stops. Stiffer penalties and more education was the theme
of the meeting, which was attended by former state Sen. Randy Gardner, R-Bowling Green. Gavarone has
taken over his seat in the Senate.
Rules in Ohio state that if the bus is stopped on a street or road which has fewer than four lanes, all
traffic approaching the bus from either direction must stop at least 10 feet from the front or rear of
the bus and remain stopped until the bus begins to move or the bus driver signals motorists to proceed.
This rule does not apply if the bus is on the opposite roadway of a divided highway.
The legislation also creates a pilot program that will allow districts across the state to apply for
school bus cameras and designates August as “School Bus Safety Awareness Month.”
Senate Bill 134 will be referred to a Senate committee for further consideration.