If you have ever thought about passing a stopped school bus when behind or in front of it, you should probably think twice. The new LB-10-39 law will begin enforcement starting next Thursday. The LB-10-39 will increase the penalties for passing a stopped school bus by mandating the maximum fine to $500 dollars and three points added to your license.
"This just increases the penalty. It has always been illegal. We've just increased the penalty to see if a stronger penalty [would make it more serious]," said Cindy Houlden, Nebraska's Safety Education and Research Manager.
According to the National Association of Pupil Transportation Services, 12 students each year are killed getting on or off school buses. Officials are asking for your help to minimize this number, especially since your kid is involved.
"It's your kid. Please, be careful when you are around the bus because there are children getting on or off," said Houlden.
In one Nebraska school district, 112 incidents were filed from bus drivers who had cars zip around their stop arms. The next year...over 160 incidents were filed. Officials have given up.
"You know, we've quit counting. I hate to say that, but we've quit counting," said Becky Reier.
And they have given up because it's happening too often.
"We do have people who run our stop arms...I would say...every day," said Reier.
But now they are begging for you to comply.
"Anytime they see a school bus, they should think: it's a school bus, there are children, let's stop," said Reier.
