 |
ALBANY, N.Y. — A new state law requires at least one question about school bus safety on the written test for general driver’s license applicants and coverage of the topic in the state’s pre-licensing driver's education course.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed SB2960B, also referred to as the School Bus Safety Awareness bill, into law on Tuesday, according to the New York State Assembly’s website. As School Bus Fleet previously reported, the law would require the state commissioner to create a curriculum for the “school bus safety” component of the course that would include “an overview of traffic laws governing overtaking and passing school buses.” Additionally, the pre-licensing written test administered by the Department of Motor Vehicles is required to include at least one question that addresses school bus safety.
SBF previously reported that the bill, which was sponsored by Sen. Anna Kaplan, along with a companion bill sponsored by Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal, passed both houses during the 2019 legislative session.
“As lawmakers, we have a solemn duty to ensure that we take every step necessary to ensure the safety of the children in our communities,” Sen. Anna Kaplan said in a news release. “So when we have a situation where an estimated 40,000 drivers in New York are illegally passing school buses each day, we have a crisis on our hands that demands attention. That’s why I’m proud to have passed legislation ensuring that drivers in this state understand the laws on school bus safety, to better protect our kids on their way to and from school, and I’m so grateful to Gov. Cuomo for signing it into law.”
The New York School Bus Contractors Association (NYSBCA) thanked the governor in a news release for signing the bill into law as well as Sen. Kaplan and Assemblywoman Rosenthal for sponsoring the legislation.
“Today is a big win for school bus safety in New York,” said Corey Muirhead, president of the NYSBCA. “Our association’s leadership has worked on this meaningful piece of legislation since day one with the goal of ensuring that all new drivers in this state fully understand that regardless of whether you are late to get to your destination, it is not worth a child’s life. Slow down, be alert and stop for school buses.”
The state also recently passed a law allowing school districts to install stop-arm cameras on school buses to catch motorists who illegally pass stopped buses and help law enforcement issue tickets to those offenders.
Truckers Against Trafficking is seeking nominations for its Harriet Tubman Award, which recognizes drivers in the truck and bus industries whose actions have helped a victim of human trafficking.
In honor of our February 2020 special-needs issue, check out these photo submissions and those from previous stories highlighting special-needs transporters and the important aspects of their job.
Some pupil transporters increasingly look beyond the big yellow bus to transport students with special needs and those who are homeless or in foster care, choosing minivans, taxicabs, and other smaller-capacity vehicles.
Alyssa Shepherd’s attorney says that although the crash is a “heart-wrenching tragedy, we believe it is still just an accident and not a crime.”
Bigfork (Mont.) School District 38 is prompted by a recent illegal passing incident that severely injured a 6-year-old student at a nearby district to install the longer stop arms on all its buses.
Students with autism can become overwhelmed by the noise and crowded space on a school bus. Drivers and aides can help by accessing transportation plan information to minimize triggers, establishing consistent routines, and giving calm, clear direction.
Lawmakers in the two states propose legislation that includes measures such as external cameras on buses and increasing fines for offending motorists.
Pro-Vision Video Systems’ 1080p HD Mini-Dome Night Vision Camera offers a 175-degree field-of-view that captures high-definition footage.
The NexTraq Dashcam can provide downloadable videos, real-time alerts, and live GPS location services for use in a variety of applications, including school transportation.
Mike Martucci, the former owner and founder of Quality Bus Service and past president of the New York School Bus Contractors Association, announces his bid for a spot in the state Legislature.
Eighteen-year-old Sam Bryant is attempting to board his school bus when he is hit by a vehicle illegally passing the bus. He is transported and released from the hospital with minor injuries.
The driver is transporting students to a basketball game when he sees smoke entering the bus. He is able to safely evacuate all of the students before the bus catches fire.
Senate Bill 219 would let police seize a stop-arm runner’s vehicle. Meanwhile, Gov. Eric Holcomb announces that over 2,500 citations were issued as part of an illegal passing prevention program.
Middle school students from Vermillion School District participate in the American Automobile Association’s School Safety Patrol program to promote proper school bus safety among their peers.
In this promotional film, the National School Transportation Association shares highlights from the event, held in Washington, D.C., in October.
Love the Bus Events Celebrate Pupil Transporters
Leonard Bus Sales Names New President
Bills Aiming to Toughen Stop-Arm Running Penalties Advance
Donna Hackett
| about 4 months agoThrilled to see Legislation aimed at making our roads safer through early education of new drivers! Our children deserve safer transport to and from school. Thank you very much!!