Legislation will hold drivers accountable when passing a stopped school bus
LANSING, Mich., Nov. 9, 2023 — The Michigan House of Representatives passed House Bills 4928–30 today. These three bills, introduced earlier this fall, will allow the installation of cameras on school bus stop arms, as a way to help enforce vehicle safety at bus stops. After the vote, state Rep. Nate Shannon (D-Sterling Heights), chair of the House Transportation, Mobility and Infrastructure Committee, and bill sponsor of HB 4928, issued the following statement:
“Zooming past a school bus when the lights are flashing red is extremely dangerous for our kids who are crossing the street. The majority of bus-related deaths and injuries involve pedestrians hurt when they are exiting the bus to cross traffic. These bills will enforce accountability for these dangerous vehicle violations, while also bringing peace of mind to Michigan parents and students who use this means of transportation. Today’s vote truly shows our commitment to our people, our kids and our communities.”
Yellow flashing school bus lights signal to the driver to be ready to stop. The stop should be at least 20 feet away from the bus when the red lights begin to flash.