More Needs to Be Done to Stop Drivers Passing School Busses
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Anyone who drives on Staten Island during the morning commute, whether going to work or driving the kids to school, has seen impatient drivers speed up when school buses slow down. Too many of us have seen drivers ignore the red flashing lights and the stop sign extending from the side of the school bus and speed right by. Driver's approaching from the opposite direction seem to believe that they don't need to stop. The law is clear; any driver approaching a school bus, either from the front or the rear, MUST STOP when the bus's red lights are on and the stop sign is extended. No exceptions!
Millions of dollars have been spent on research regarding the color of school buses alone, a color of yellow that will make drivers aware of the importance of the passengers riding in that vehicle. Studies have shown that the human eye can see yellow more quickly than any other color, including red, especially during the early morning or late evening hours when school children are on their way to and from school.
I believe that a major reason that driver's are quick to pass a school bus is the lack of teeth in the fines. The current law provides for a fine of $250 for a first time offense, with no points on your license. Such an easy off is unacceptable. You will get points on your drivers license for speeding 10 mph over the posted limit but no points when we are trying to protect our children. Doesn't seem fair, does it? Assemblyman Michael Cusick has realized the problem and attempted to add more teeth to a weak law. He has sponsored a bill to increase the fines and penalties. The bill creates a criminal charge of vehicular manslaughter if a child under 15 years old is killed by a motorist passing a stopped school bus. I applaud the proposed change, after all, are those 30 seconds that you save by passing a bus worth the life of young student? We all know the answer to that. Please be careful and make Staten Island safe for everyone.
