State Rep. Parker Fairbairn today introduced a legislative package to strengthen school bus safety by increasing penalties for illegally passing a stopped school bus and expanding the required stopping distance for motorists.
“School bus drivers continue to report near misses and dangerous encounters involving motorists who fail to stop, putting our children at unnecessary risk,” said Fairbairn (R-Harbor Springs). “Our students deserve greater protection than our current law provides.
This package offers commonsense solutions that give drivers clearer expectations and help keep kids safe as they get on and off the bus.”
The package would increase the civil fine for illegally passing a stopped school bus from the current range of $100 to $500 to a range of $500 to $1,000. It would also increase the required stopping distance from 20 feet to 50 feet, creating a larger safety
zone around school buses while students are boarding or exiting.
Additionally, the plan would have school buses display the message “Keep Back 50 Feet If Lights Are Flashing” on the front and rear bumpers. Fairbairn said the signage would provide motorists with a clear, visible reminder of the required stopping distance
and help prevent dangerous encounters near school buses.
“When those red lights start flashing, there should be no confusion about what drivers need to do,” Fairbairn said. “Slowing down and keeping a safe distance costs a driver only a few moments, but it can make all the difference in protecting a child.”
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