Study following Northwood student’s death highlights danger of passing stopped bus
Published 8:46 am Monday, January 7, 2013
AMES, Iowa — A new study on school bus safety in Iowa — required of “Kadyn’s Law,” passed by the Iowa Legislature in 2012 — is highlighting the dangers of vehicles that illegally pass stopped buses.
The state departments of transportation and education released the report Friday to the state legislature. It focuses on safety elements like mounted cameras on school buses, pickup and dropoff locations and driver training.
The report is a requirement of Senate File 2218, more popularly known as “Kadyn’s Law.”
Kadyn’s Law is aimed at preventing other deaths and serious injuries to Iowa’s school children while boarding or unloading from a school bus. On May 10, 2011, Kadyn Halverson, 7, of Northwood, was struck by a pickup while trying to cross the road to board a school bus.
The report also says enhanced awareness will align convictions and sentencing connected with drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses.
Researchers at Iowa State University and the University of Iowa conducted the study.