Cape Central schools report daily school bus stop-arm violations

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) — Missouri drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses could soon face tougher penalties under legislation now awaiting Gov. Mike Kehoe’s signature.

House Bill 2742, approved during the final days of the legislative session, would increase penalties for drivers who fail to stop for school buses loading or unloading children. The bill would also allow school districts to install stop-arm cameras on buses to help identify drivers accused of violations.

Cape Girardeau Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Josh Crowell said illegally passing stopped buses is already a daily concern for the district.

“We actually receive daily reports that buses are being passed illegally by cars when the stop arms are out,” Crowell said. “Unfortunately, it is a daily occurrence and it’s a safety issue for our students.”

Under current Missouri law, illegally passing a stopped school bus is generally considered a Class A misdemeanor. The offense can become a felony if a child is injured or killed.

The proposed legislation would add mandatory fines, points on a driver’s license and stricter suspension requirements for repeat offenders.

Under the bill:

* First-time offenders could face fines between $500 and $1,000.
* Second offenses within five years could carry fines between $1,000 and $2,000 and a 90-day license suspension.
* Third or subsequent offenses within five years could lead to fines between $1,500 and $3,000 and a 180-day suspension.

Each violation would also add five points to a driver’s license.

Crowell said distracted driving continues to create dangerous situations for students getting on and off buses.

“What it really comes down to is people obeying the law, people being attentive drivers,” Crowell said. “Put down the phone, pay attention to what’s going on, and just keep in mind you can take an extra few seconds delayed in your arrival just to make sure those kids don’t get hurt.”

The legislation would also allow districts to install camera systems on school buses with approval from local school boards. Any footage not used in an investigation would be required to be deleted within 180 days.

Crowell said Cape Girardeau Public Schools already use some camera technology on buses, but advanced systems can be expensive for districts.

He said stronger penalties could help create additional accountability for drivers while districts continue balancing safety improvements with responsible use of taxpayer dollars.

Crowell also said bus drivers already use defensive driving techniques to help protect students, including positioning buses to block traffic from attempting to pass while children are crossing roads.

“There’s a lot of defensive driving tricks, but that only goes so far,” Crowell said.

Supporters of the bill say distracted and impatient driving continues to put children at risk at bus stops and argue Missouri currently has weaker stop-arm penalties than many other states.

“It’s more serious than probably what they think,” Crowell said. “They probably think, ‘Oh, it’s just me. It’s a one-time deal. I was late getting to an appointment.’ But when you compound that with as many drivers that we have on the road, it is a higher crisis than what we think.”

The bill now awaits action from Gov. Mike Kehoe.