A sheriff’s deputy witnessed three vehicles pass a stopped school bus Thursday afternoon, highlighting why state and local officials are pushing for harsher penalties for drivers who ignore the flashing red lights and extended stop arm.
According to Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office call reports, Deputy David DiGenova witnessed three vehicles pass a stopped school bus near the intersection of East High Avenue and University Drive in New Philadelphia around 3 p.m. Thursday.
He made a U-turn and pulled over two of the vehicles, then lost track of a third one on East High. When he circled back, only one of the other vehicles was still there. The deputy issued a citation to that driver, who admitted to passing the school bus.
State legislators have been considering a School Bus Safety Act for almost two years. The version under consideration now in the state House would double maximum fines – from 500-dollars to 1,000-dollars – for passing a stopped school bus and quadruple it to 2,000-dollars for repeat offenders.
The city of Dover acted faster last fall to increase fines for motorists who ignore crossing guards. City officials bumped the fine from 150 dollars to 250 dollars.
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