Idaho, West Virginia Increase School Bus Passing Fines
Governors sign legislation that double fines for illegally passing a stopped school bus.
Sadiah Thompson・Assistant Editor
April 11, 2019
Governors in Idaho and West Virginia recently signed bills into law that double fines for illegally passing a stopped school bus. File photo courtesy NYSBCA
2 min to read
Governors in Idaho and West Virginia recently signed bills into law that double fines for illegally passing a stopped school bus. File photo courtesy NYSBCA
Governors in Idaho and West Virginia recently signed bills into law that will increase fines for motorists who illegally pass stopped school buses.
In Idaho, Gov. Brad Little signed House Bill 1131 into law on March 27 to raise the fee for passing a school bus with its lights flashing and stop arm deployed from $100 to $200. Passing a school bus a second time will cost a motorist $400 within five years of a prior offense, and a third violation will be a fine of $600 within five years of two previous offenses.
Ad Loading...
The legislation also states that any revenue generated from fines over $100 will be directed into a fund created in the state treasury to install cameras on school buses as a way to help law enforcement catch and identify offending motorists.
The law is expected to take effect on July 1, 2019, according to the state legislature’s website.
Meanwhile, in West Virginia, Gov. Jim Justice also signed legislation that will increase penalties for passing a stopped school bus, as well as require exterior cameras on all school buses purchased on or after July 1, 2019.
As SBF previously reported, Senate Bill 238, signed into law by Justice on March 25, doubles the fine for stop-arm violators from $250 to a minimum of $500 and maximum of $1,000, with a 60-day license suspension and the possibility of six months of jail time. A second offense will cost an offending motorist at least $1,000 and no more than $1,500, also with a potential of six months in jail but will also include a 180-day license suspension. Passing a stopped school bus a third time will earn the violator a fine of $2,000, loss of their license for one year, and at least 48 hours in jail but no more than six months of jail time.
Moreover, if the violation causes serious bodily injury, the motorist will face a felony charge and one to three years in prison, along with a minimum fine of $2,000 and a maximum of $5,000. If the violation causes a death, the charge becomes a felony and if convicted, the motorist will spend between one and 10 years in prison, and will be fined a minimum of $5,000 and a maximum of $10,000.
Ad Loading...
The law is expected to take effect on June 5, 2019, according to the state legislature’s website.
Driver shortages, safety expectations, and staffing limits define student transportation in 2026. New survey data shows how fleet leaders are responding.
The federal agency's report asks NHTSA to require all new school buses to be equipped with vehicle-integrated alcohol detection systems and passenger lap-shoulder belts.
Student transportation teams are being asked to do more with less, facing driver shortages, rising costs, and increasing safety expectations. This report uncovers how fleets are adapting, where technology is making the biggest impact, and why student ridership tracking is emerging as a top priority. Download the report to explore the key trends shaping 2026 and what they mean for your operation.
A Carroll County accident claimed the lives of two students and injured over a dozen others on a March 27 field trip for eighth graders at Clarksville-Montgomery County. A preliminary report adds new information to the story.
From driver shortage solutions in Tennessee and rural connectivity debates in Utah to new safety laws in Wisconsin and ongoing electric bus mandate discussions in New York and Connecticut, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.
Waymo’s self-driving vehicles are under fire again after repeated school bus passing violations, raising questions about safety, remote operators, and regulation.
Distracted driving continues to pose serious risks in school zones, with new data and driver insights highlighting ongoing concerns and potential solutions to improve student and roadway safety.
A former airline pilot has stepped into a new role at the independent federal agency, but where does he stand on issues like seat belts on school buses? Here’s what he’s said.
Two recent close calls at railroad crossings, a train clipping a bus and a rear-end crash, highlight why vigilance and training still matter. Here’s what happened and what to tell your own drivers.
The federal agency's proposed rulemaking would eliminate the requirement for school buses to come to a complete stop at railroad crossings if the warning device is not activated. The goal: to improve traffic flow and save costs. With new data released, public comment is open through April 27, 2026.
