Cameras Sought to Help Stop Drivers from Illegally Passing Stopped School Buses
Cameras are needed to help enforce an Iowa law that increased penalties for drivers who illegally pass by school buses whenever they're stopped.
Under the state law, commonly referred to as Kadyn's Law, driving privileges are suspended for 30 days for a first conviction, increasing to 90 days for a second conviction and 180 days for a third conviction.
The law was prompted by the 2011 death of 7-year-old Kadyn Halverson, who was hit by a vehicle as she crossed a rural road to board a school bus.
Randy Meyer, who oversees transportation and ground operations at Mason City and Clear Lake schools, said an exterior camera on the buses is needed to help identify more violators, the Globe Gazette reported. Without the camera, it's hard to identify a vehicle in the split second a violation occurs. Only about 10 percent of drivers who illegally pass the buses get reported to law enforcement, the report said.
"If they can get the (license) plate, they will, but our drivers are more concerned about watching students and making sure they're safe," Meyer said. "Our first priority is safety for kids."
http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/4e0b182f174043548d81e88cf700d7a2/IA--School-Bus-Safety
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