West Virginia Looks to Get Tougher on Illegal Passers of School Buses

Written by Ryan Gray Wednesday, 17 February 2010 11:46

A bill introduced this week would amend existing state and at least double or triple the fine for first-time "identified" motorists who illegally pass stopped school buses that are loading or unloading students and would make it a felony for others convicted of causing injury or death.

HB4489 is one of four related bills read this month in either the House or the Senate that address the issue. Introduced by Del. Kelli Sobonyaat at the request of grandmother of a Lincoln County youngster who was killed last year while exiting a school bus, it would increase the first-time offense to no less than $150 and no more than $500, up dramatically from the current misdemeanor fine of $50, and confined in jail for up to six months. The motorist's drivers license could also be suspended for 30 days.

The bill would also bring with it a felony charge for drivers who injure or kill a person as a result of an illegal drive-by. If convicted of causing injury, the motorist could receive a sentence of one to three years in prison and be fined between $500 and $2,000. Convictions for causing a death could result in a sentence of one to 10 years and a $1,000 to $3,000 fine.

West Virginia bus drivers can submit reports on illegal passers to local police or take advantage of existing state law that allows them to directly appeal to local magistrates to issue bench warrants, said Ben Shew, executive director of student transportation at the state department of education. The annual state conference has also presented best-practice workshops on reporting illegal passers and employing the use of stop arm cameras to catch illegal passers on tape.

"It's difficult for bus drivers to get license number sometimes," Shew added. "We have a couple of counties that have put cameras directly on stop sign itself, then they can focus in the camera on the license plate as they drive by. Wood County is one that has been doing it the longest. Some others have said they were going to do it."

The bill authorizes all school districts to mount cameras on retractable school bus stop signs and, as funds are available, directs the State Police to conduct information campaign to educate drivers on school bus safety.For drivers who can't be identified, HB4489 would fine the vehicle owner or lessee between $150 and $500.