Tedisco: Protect Kids By Passing School Bus Camera Safety Act

Senator Jim Tedisco (R,C,I,REF-Glenville) today is calling on the state Senate to bring public safety legislation he is sponsoring to the Floor of the Senate, the “School Bus Camera Safety Act” to protect children when they are boarding or departing a stopped school bus.

According to Operation Safe Stop, it’s estimated that every day, over 50,000 motor vehicles illegally pass a stopped school bus in New York State.

“It’s the law that you must stop on red when a school bus is picking up or dropping off children. Unfortunately, many people do not pay attention when they are driving and all too frequently illegally pass a stopped school bus. ‘The School Bus Camera Safety Act’ will help save lives, keep kids safer and make drivers more mindful when they see a stopped school bus,” said Senator Jim Tedisco.

The bill, S.4658, would allow schools to put cameras on school buses to detect and record vehicles illegally passing or overtaking a school bus. Violators would receive a $250 fine for passing a stopped school bus. The Assembly yesterday passed similar school bus camera safety legislation.

Several other states have enacted legislation similar including Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, Iowa, Virginia, Connecticut and Washington.