Bowling Green, KY, October 25, 2025
News Summary
In a bid to enhance school bus safety, Kentucky and Ohio are implementing new laws to tackle traffic violations involving stopped school buses. Kentucky’s Senate Bill 38 aims to enable camera monitoring on buses, while Ohio’s House Bill 3 has significantly increased penalties for violators. Local police and school officials emphasize the importance of driver awareness to protect children, echoing concerns raised following a tragic incident in 2023. Ongoing efforts aim to ensure the safety of students during their commutes.
Bowling Green, KY – In an effort to enhance school bus safety amidst rising concerns of traffic violations, Kentucky and Ohio have taken legislative steps to increase awareness and enforce stricter penalties against drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses. As National School Bus Safety Week comes to a close, local police departments are reminding drivers of their responsibilities when encountering school buses.
Bowling Green Police are urging drivers to slow down, stay alert, and stop for school buses, especially when the stop arm is extended. According to Bowling Green Police Public Information Officer Ronnie Ward, it’s essential for drivers to obey these rules for the safety of school children. The Bowling Green Independent School District Transportation Director Cedric Browning estimates that traffic violations involving stopped school buses occur in the teens per month, with common reasons for non-compliance including driver inattention and confusion over stopping requirements.
To address distracted driving, individuals are encouraged to minimize distractions, particularly by putting down mobile phones while driving. Additionally, children need to be instructed to assess their surroundings carefully before boarding or exiting a bus.
In Warren County, bus drivers have the authority to record license plates of vehicles that fail to stop for buses. As part of ongoing legislative efforts, Kentucky lawmakers are considering Senate Bill 38, which would enable the use of camera monitoring systems on school buses to enforce stopping laws and impose civil penalties on violators.
On the other hand, in Ohio, lawmakers have recently passed House Bill 3, known as the Enact the School Bus Safety Act. This legislation significantly increases penalties for illegally passing a stopped school bus. Previously, fines ranged from $0 to $500, but now they have been elevated to a range of $250 to $1,000, with harsher penalties for repeat offenders. Potential consequences for repeat violations may include license suspensions, mandatory safety courses, and fines of up to $2,000.
Additionally, House Bill 3 establishes requirements for utilizing cameras on school buses to capture violations. In a concerning statistic, Ohio reported over 14,000 citations for passing stopped school buses over a four-year period. Legislators stress that the need for heightened safety measures is critical, particularly in light of incidents where children suffered injuries or fatalities due to illegal passing of stopped buses.
Ohio’s recent safety initiatives have been particularly motivated by a tragic incident in 2023 that resulted in the death of an 11-year-old student and injuries to more than 20 others. In response, the Ohio Governor has proposed a $34 million fund for safety features and aims to increase bus driver training requirements from four to six hours.
Furthermore, Ohio’s Senate Bill 62 seeks to impose a $300 civil penalty for illegally passing stopped school buses and has already undergone three hearings. Meanwhile, the National Transportation Safety Board continues to advocate for mandatory seat belts on school buses, a measure currently required by only eight states across the country.
Background Information
As students return to school, the safety of transportation options is paramount. With children being particularly vulnerable during their commutes, the emphasis on enforcing school bus safety laws has gained significant traction. Increased public awareness combined with stricter legislative measures aims to protect communities and ensure the safe transport of school children.
FAQ
What is National School Bus Safety Week?
National School Bus Safety Week is a week dedicated to raising awareness about the safety of students while commuting to and from school on buses.
What is the estimated number of traffic violations involving stopped school buses in Bowling Green?
Traffic violations involving stopped school buses are estimated to be in the teens per month according to the Bowling Green Independent School District Transportation Director.
What does Kentucky’s Senate Bill 38 propose?
Kentucky’s Senate Bill 38 aims to permit camera monitoring systems on school buses to enforce stopping laws and impose civil penalties on violators.
What recent action has Ohio taken regarding school bus safety?
Ohio lawmakers passed House Bill 3, increasing penalties for illegally passing a stopped school bus from a range of $0-$500 to $250-$1,000, with harsher penalties for repeat offenders.
What tragic incident motivated Ohio’s recent school bus safety initiatives?
Ohio’s safety initiatives were motivated by a fatal crash in 2023 that involved the death of an 11-year-old student and injuries to over 20 others.
Key Features of Legislative Changes
| State | Legislation | Key Changes |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | Senate Bill 38 | Permit camera monitoring systems on school buses; impose civil penalties for violations. |
| Ohio | House Bill 3 | Increased penalties for illegally passing stopped school buses; requirements for cameras on buses. |
| Ohio | Senate Bill 62 | Impose a $300 civil penalty for illegally passing stopped school buses. |
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Additional Resources
- WNKY: Bowling Green Police Remind Drivers of School Bus Safety
- Wikipedia: School Bus Safety
- WBKO: Officials Stress Importance of School Bus Safety
- Google Search: School Bus Safety
- Ohio Capital Journal: Ohio House Passes Bill Increasing Penalties for Illegally Passing a Stopped School Bus
- Google Scholar: School Bus Safety Law
- WBKO: Staying Safe Around School Bus
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Bus Safety
- Dispatch: Ohio Officials Consider Grants and Increased Fines for School Bus Safety
- Google News: School Bus Safety Legislation
Author: STAFF HERE BOWLING GREEN WRITER
The BOWLING GREEN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBowlingGreen.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Bowling Green, Warren County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the National Corvette Homecoming, International Festival, concerts at SKyPAC, and sports events at Beech Bend Park. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce and the African American Museum Bowling Green Area, plus leading businesses in automotive, apparel, and healthcare that power the local economy such as General Motors Corvette Assembly Plant, Fruit of the Loom, and Med Center Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELexingtonKY.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
