SBF 70 years logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

NSTA Cheers Illegal Passing Act's Introduction in Congress

Inspired by the efforts of the late Rep. Jackie Walorski of Indiana, new legislation has been introduced in Congress to battle illegal school bus passing.

June 13, 2023
NSTA Cheers Illegal Passing Act's Introduction in Congress

The new legislation would gather data on illegal passing incidents and develop a national public safety messaging campaign.

Image: Canva

2 min to read


Representatives Rudy Yakym (Indiana) and Julia Brownley (California) sponsored the Jackie Walorski Enhancing Necessary Data (END) Illegal Passing Act, a follow-up to the STOP for School Bus Act. The act calls for establishment of "a program to monitor and gather data on incidents of illegal passing of stopped school buses, develop a national public safety messaging campaign, training materials, and model legislation to reduce such incidents."

“Our community in northern Indiana knows all too well the tragic consequences when drivers illegally pass a stopped school bus,” said Congressman Yakym. “My predecessor and dear friend, Jackie Walorski, sprung into action to pass the Stop for School Buses Act of 2021. Congresswoman Brownley and I are proud to carry on her legacy by ensuring more robust data on the frequency and circumstances surrounding illegal school bus passings. Through this legislation we can put taxpayer dollars to better use as we educate the public about the dangers of passing stopped school buses, prevent further tragedies, and save lives.” 

Ad Loading...

“As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I worked with the late Congresswoman Jackie Walorski to include life-saving legislation to address the significant risks posed to children when vehicles violate school bus stop signs in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “I am proud to join Congressman Yakym to build on the progress we’ve made and help protect children from injury and death from illegal passing.”

The National School Transportation Association (NSTA) praised the END Illegal Passing Act, which aims to reduce the estimated 41.8 million illegal passing violations occurring during the 180-day school year.

"NSTA commends Reps. Yakym and Brownley for continuing the mission of the late Congresswoman Jackie Walorski," said NSTA President Carina Noble. Noble also serves as senior vice president for communications and external affairs for school transportation contractor National Express. "Illegal passing continues to occur across the country at an alarming rate and the Jackie Walorski END Illegal Passing Act represents a vital component in the quest to curb this epidemic."

Said Curt Macysyn, NSTA's executive director: "The illegal passing of stopped school buses continues to be a vexing problem that impacts our students in a profound way. We must continue to be vigilant as we address the root causes of this calamity. NSTA appreciates the efforts of Reps. Yakym and Brownley in introducing the vital piece of legislation, as well as their conintued commitment to school bus safety."

More Safety

A close up detail of the back of a school bus with text reading "Insight From 10 Years of NHTSA Data."
Safetyby Elora HaynesJuly 22, 2026

NHTSA Releases 10-Year Review of Fatal School Bus Crashes

The latest federal analysis reinforces the safety of school buses while identifying where school-age pedestrians and other motorists remain most at risk.

Read More →
Graphic for a School Bus Fleet news story featuring the NASDPTS logo, a speaker presenting with a microphone, and the headline, "38.4 Million Stop-Arm Violations," highlighting annual illegal school bus passing estimates.
Safetyby Amanda HuggettJuly 21, 2026

2026 NASDPTS Survey: Data Shows Further Reduction of Illegal Passing

New data is in! School bus stop-arm passings are down to 38.4 million violations per year, about a 2.3% decrease from last school year — but passings on the right side of the bus are higher than ever.

Read More →
Graphic illustrating a fatal school bus incident in New York, featuring a close-up view of the front of a yellow school bus with a cracked-glass overlay and the headline, "7-Year-Old Fatally Struck in New York," dated July 9, 2026, alongside the School Bus Fleet logo.
Safetyby Staff and News ReportsJuly 9, 2026

Another School Bus Fatality Reported in Monsey, New York

A 7-year-old girl died after being struck by a school bus in Rockland County, New York while crossing the street. Here's what we know.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
School buses at NSTA's SBDISC Roadeo with text reading "School Bus Drivers Put Their Skills to the Test."
Safetyby Staff and News ReportsJune 30, 2026

NSTA Announces 2026 School Bus Driver International Safety Competition Winners

Drivers from across the U.S. and Canada showcased their safety and driving skills, with two defending champions successfully retaining their titles.

Read More →
zonar system image
SponsoredJune 22, 2026

The Driver Shortage Playbook

Driver shortages are still a major challenge for student transportation fleets, but the real issue has shifted. It’s no longer just about filling seats quickly. It’s about finding safe, reliable drivers who meet performance expectations and want to stay. The Driver Shortage Playbook covers why traditional recruitment tactics are falling short and how school fleets are adapting with smarter hiring, stronger retention strategies and a greater focus on driver quality.

Read More →
Promotional graphic for a new Pro-Vision AI camera system. The image shows a monitor displaying camera views with AI object detection overlays, along with multiple cameras and recording hardware. Text reads "New Product," "Pro-Vision," and "Visibly Better." School Bus Fleet logo appears in the lower-right corner.
SafetyJune 11, 2026

Pro-Vision Launches AI-Powered 360° Camera System

The new Birdseye camera delivers real-time AI-based pedestrian and vehicle detections, full visibility around the bus, and telematics integrations.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A New York school bus in the street.
Safetyby Elora HaynesJune 9, 2026

N.Y. & N.J. Coalitions Call for Modernized Transportation for Vulnerable Students

New statewide coalitions in New York and New Jersey are urging lawmakers to expand student transportation options for vulnerable students amid ongoing driver shortages.

Read More →
Graphic for an opinion article on illegal school bus passing. A school bus with its stop arm extended is stopped as children cross the street, while a black SUV drives past. Headline reads, “America’s School Bus Blind Spot.” School Bus Fleet branding appears in the corner.
SafetyJune 8, 2026

America Has a School Bus Passing Problem — and Distraction Is Making It Worse

Illegal school bus passing remains a major safety threat as distracted driving rises. This op-ed explores why awareness, enforcement, and stop-arm cameras matter more than ever.

Read More →
A black, white, and red graphic with an image of a school bus on a New York street and text reading "Legislative Roundup May 2026."
Safetyby Elora HaynesMay 29, 2026

School Bus Laws to Watch: New York Delays EV Mandate

Plus, federal lawmakers seek new funding for school bus safety as states weigh stop-arm enforcement, disability protections, and education spending.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Emergency response personnel assist participants evacuating through the rear emergency door of a yellow school bus during a hands-on safety training exercise at Prosper ISD. Smoke fills the bus interior as responders demonstrate emergency evacuation procedures.
Safetyby News/Media ReleaseMay 21, 2026

Operation STEER Brings Emergency Response Training to North Texas

Prosper ISD hosted the third annual training for transportation professionals across 67 districts to learn how to respond to emergencies, such as rollovers and evacuations, and proper use of safety equipment.

Read More →