Lawmaker’s Spouse Caught Illegally Passing School Bus
Rhode Island House Rep. Eileen Naughton's husband drives past a school bus with its warning lights on and stop arm extended. The car is recognized as belonging to a state lawmaker by the license plate: "House 21."

William Naughton, who is married to Rhode Island House Rep. Eileen Naughton, was seen driving past a school bus with its warning lights on and stop arm extended in March. Stock photo by Barry Johnson

EAST GREENWICH, R.I. — A car being driven by a state representative’s husband was seen passing a stopped school bus here in March, East Greenwich Patch reports.
A police report states that on March 28, a woman at a school bus stop saw a man drive the car, which belongs to House Rep. Eileen Naughton, past a school bus that had the red warning lights flashing and the stop arm extended, according to the news source. The woman noticed that the license plate read “House 21.”
After her children boarded the school bus, the woman went after the vehicle and found it in a doctor’s office parking lot. The police report states that the woman took a photo of the car with her phone and emailed it to detectives, according to East Greenwich Patch. Police interviewed the bus driver, who gave a written statement confirming that he saw a car with that license plate pass his bus. The Naughtons' son told an officer that he spoke to his father, William Naughton, who was driving the car at the time. The officer then issued a summons to William Naughton, according to the news source.
Rep. Naughton said in a statement that the incident was unintentional, her husband regrets the error, “and takes full responsibility.” He is due to appear in court on April 26, according to East Greenwich Patch. If convicted of the traffic violation, Naughton could face a fine of up to $300 and have his driver’s license suspended for 30 days for a first offense.
To read the full story, go here.
More Safety

Are Autonomous Vehicles Ready to Safely Navigate School Bus Stops?
NHTSA is accelerating autonomous vehicle deployment through new safety standards and commercial approvals. See why school transportation leaders are watching.
Read More →
NFL Star Lomas Brown Kicks Off New Illegal School Bus Passing PSA
Just in time for the back-to-school season, the former Detroit Lions offensive tackle took time to record a video encouraging motorists to slow down around school buses.
Read More →
How Two Texas Districts Built Award-Winning Safety Programs
Learn how Prosper ISD and Rockwall ISD earned National Safety Council honors through hands-on training, safety culture, and strategies that reduced transportation incidents.
Read More →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
