Wyoming bill would require stop-arm cameras
Under the legislation, as of the 2016-17 school year, all school buses in the state would have to be equipped with external cameras to capture evidence of illegal school bus passing. Internal school bus surveillance cameras would remain optional.
CHEYENNE, Wyo. — A bill that would require stop-arm cameras on Wyoming school buses is advancing in the state Legislature.
Under House Bill 5, as of the 2016-17 school year, all school buses transporting students to and from school and student activities would have to be equipped with external cameras to capture evidence of illegal school bus passing. Internal school bus surveillance cameras would remain optional.
Last week, the bill was approved in the Wyoming House and was sent to the Senate. On Wednesday, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed the bill, moving it back to the Senate’s general file.
The legislation initially specified that up to $5 million would be provided to reimburse school districts for 100% of the costs of equipping school buses with both external and internal video surveillance systems. However, according to The Associated Press, the Senate Appropriations Committee voted to strip the bill of that funding. (UPDATE: The Associated Presslater reported that the Senate voted to reject the committee's defunding amendment, so the $5 million appropriation remains in the bill.)
In 2011, 11-year-old Makayla Marie Strahle was struck and killed by a vehicle passing her school bus as she was crossing the street in Crowheart, Wyo. Last year, students from Strahle’s school district spoke to legislators and submitted proposals aimed at cracking down on stop-arm running.
Wyoming Rep. Patrick Goggles, a supporter of House Bill 5, said last week that students in the Crowheart area “asked me to pass this bill,” according to the Casper Star-Tribune.
More Safety

FMCSA Names New Chief Safety Officer: What School Bus Operators Should Know
Steve Dowling is set to lead the federal agency's efforts to advance commercial motor vehicle safety and reduce crashes, fatalities, and injuries on the nation's roadways.
Read More →
New Study Finds School Zone Speed Safety Cameras Cut Speeding Violations 97%
A Florida university's research demonstrates that Verra Mobility's automated enforcement changes driver behavior and significantly improves school zone safety.
Read More →
What Changed in DOT’s New National Roadway Safety Strategy?
The federal agency's new plan shifts its focus to safer people, roads and vehicles, with a new three-pronged approach instead of five. One outlined action even addresses a key industry concern around illegal school bus passing.
Read More →
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 →
