Increasing safety for school children

Each year children die because drivers fail to obey school bus laws. A bipartisan bill in the Senate aims to keep Iowa kids safer when getting on and off their school bus.

This legislation was proposed after the tragic death of Kadyn Halvorson of Northwood. Kadyn was killed while crossing the road to board her school bus.

Current law prohibits drivers from passing a stopped school bus that has its lights flashing and the stop arm out. Yet every year, hundreds of drivers violate this law and endanger the lives of children heading to school and home.

“Kadyn’s Law” would enhance the penalties for unlawfully passing a school bus by increasing fines and giving the court the option of sending the offender to jail. The bill also calls for the Iowa Department of Transportation to conduct a study of how best to increase school bus safety for children.