MADISON, Wis. (WRN) — At the Capitol, proposed legislation could enhance safety for kids riding school buses in Wisconsin.
The bill allows installation of cameras on school bus stop arms and the use of footage to charge drivers who pass them. Co-author, Representative Dean Kaufert of Neenah says drivers can only do so much when that happens.
“One of them told me, you know, they they’re able to get 3 numbers and it was a white car and they get the first 3 numbers. So it’s very difficult for them to get that,” Kaufert said.
That’s corroborated by “Tom,” a school bus driver for 16 years.
“It’s always been difficult to get a license plate number because we are focused on our students, making sure they’re getting safely on off that they’re seated and that they’re behaving,” the driver said.
One operator told the Assembly Transportation Committee that his company already has stop arm cameras on all its buses. The fine for passing a school bus with its stop arm extended is $675 for a first offense, according to the state DOT.