FELDER PUSHES FOR TOUGHER SCHOOL BUS SAFETY MEASURES

Senator Simcha Felder is calling for increased awareness of school bus safety issues during the week of October 19th through 23rd, which marks National School Bus Safety Week.

“This week serves as an excellent time to raise awareness regarding this important safety issue for our children,” said Senator Felder. “Each day, over 50,000 school buses transport more than 2.3 million New York children to school.  Due to the tough safety standards that we have put into place, New York’s record of school bus safety is among the best in the Nation.”

Earlier this year, Senator Felder joined Senator John Bonacic (R,C,I –  Mt. Hope) to sponsor Senate Bill S1634, which amends the Vehicle and Traffic Law by increasing penalties for passing a stopped school bus. The new legislation provides that an individual convicted of two or more instances of passing a stopped school bus be subject to sixty days suspension of his or her driver's license. This stricter penalty will help protect our children from reckless drivers.

“There are many good reasons for stopping when a school bus is flashing its red lights – including avoiding stiff fines or possible jail sentences,” said Felder. “But the most important reason is that using caution near a stopped school bus can help protect our most precious possessions - our children.”