(Long Island, NY) Today, Assemblyman Michael Montesano (R,I,C-Glen Head) supported passage of legislation which would discourage drivers from illegally passing stopped school buses and ultimately improve the safety of school-aged children.
In order to curb this reoccurring danger, the bill (A.458) would allow the Comprehensive School Bus Driver Training Council to collect fines paid by a driver convicted of passing a stopped school bus. The funds would then be used to support statewide studies and campaigns to raise awareness of this commonly disregarded safety hazard.
“This common-sense legislation would raise awareness about the dangers of illegally passing a stopped school bus and help protect the many children who ride a bus daily,” said Montesano. “In New York alone, it is estimated that over 50,000 drivers illegally pass buses each school day. I am hopeful that raising the penalties and making an example of those who violate the law will help us address this issue and drastically decrease the number of violators.”
To ensure the safety of New York’s millions of school-aged bus riders, Montesano is urging the Senate to vote on this legislation during the final days of session.
