The bill introduces significant amendments to school bus safety laws, particularly concerning traffic violations related to school buses. It establishes a new section, 31-20-12, which mandates that drivers must stop for school buses displaying flashing red lights or activated stop signs, imposing a civil fine of $300 for violations. It also specifies that no driver, except emergency vehicles on official business, may travel within 50 feet of a school bus in the same lane of traffic.

The bill enhances enforcement measures by allowing the installation of digital video monitoring systems on school buses to detect violations. Law enforcement officers or municipal technicians are permitted to issue a "notice of violation" based on evidence from these systems, with the timeframe for issuing notices extended from ten to thirty days post-violation. The recorded images from these systems serve as prima facie evidence of a violation and are admitted without further authentication.

Additionally, the bill details the allocation of revenue from fines, specifying that 20% goes to the state general fund, 40% to the municipality where the violation occurred, and 40% to the vendor supporting the video detection system. The legislation aims to reinforce traffic laws and improve enforcement mechanisms to enhance the safety of school children.

Statutes affected:
8523: 31-20-12, 31-20-13, 31-41.1-4