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Assembly Democrats
By egoldASSEMBLY PANEL CLEARS VAN DREW/FISHER/STACK BILL TO ALLOW WARNINGS TO BE DISPLAYED ON BACK OF SCHOOL BUS
Measure Would Permit 'Stop When Red Lights Are Flashing' to Appear on Bumper
(TRENTON) -- An Assembly panel today released legislation Assemblymen Jeff Van Drew, Douglas H. Fisher, and Brian P. Stack sponsored to allow school bus operators to display further safety-related warnings on their vehicles.
Under the measure (A-1024), school bus operators would be able to display "Stop When Red Lights Are Flashing" stickers on the rear bumpers of school vehicles to alert drivers to state law prohibiting the passage of a school bus when it is loading or unloading children.
"Used in conjunction with other warnings to drivers, the additional reminder displayed on school bus bumpers could compel more drivers to follow state law and stop for school buses," said Van Drew (D-Cape May). "No piece of legislation can mandate common sense, but hopefully this measure will remind motorists to stop for a school bus when expected."
The lawmakers said they were made aware of the safety issue through the Cumberland County Sheriff's Traffic Safety Program. The Traffic Safety Program maintains that displaying "Stop When Red Lights Are Flashing" in four-inch-tall yellow letters would serve as a constant reminder to drivers that they are required to stop when the lights are flashing.
In 2002, the program's school bus safety committee surveyed school bus drivers and found that a large number of motorists were illegally passing buses when their red lights were flashing. As a result, new warning signs were placed throughout Cumberland County and an awareness program was launched.
"No piece of legislation is more important than one that protects our children," said Fisher (D-Cumberland). "Hopefully, we all will be reminded to drive more carefully when near school buses."
"While motorists should be aware of the law requiring them to stop for school buses, it is better to err on the side of caution when it comes to the safety of our children," Stack (D-Union) concluded.
The Assembly Education Committee released the measure 10-0. It now goes to the Assembly Speaker, who decides if and when to post it for a floor vote.
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Contact:
Assemblyman Van Drew (609) 465-0700
Assemblyman Fisher (856) 455-1011
Assemblyman Stack (201) 330-3233
Erin Gold (609) 292-7065
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