Signed Into Law: School Buses in NJ will Now Require Motion Sensors

school bus lkwdA new law signed into law in New Jersey today will require new school buses to be equipped with motion sensors.

The legislation was sponsored by Assembly Democrats Patrick Diegnan, Gabriela Mosquera, Ralph Caputo, Mila Jasey and Raj Mukherji.

The newly signed “Abigail’s Law” (A-1455) will require newly-manufactured school buses to be equipped with motion sensors to determine the presence of persons or objects passing in front of or behind a bus.

The legislation is in honor of Abigail Kuberiet, a child who tragically lost her life in 2003 standing in front of a stopped school bus in South Plainfield. The bus operator was unable to see the child from the driver’s seat.

“The use of available technology will facilitate safe driving and prevent fatal accidents,” said Diegnan (D-Middlesex). “When an alarm sounds if a child is in the vicinity of the bus, the operator will immediately be made aware of the situation and will not move forward, and a life will be saved.”

Children are more likely to be killed as pedestrians outside a school bus, and most often by their own school bus, according to the National Coalition for School Bus Safety. The majority of these accidents involve very young children.

“Regardless of how much we teach the importance of school bus safety to children, accidents can happen in just the blink of an eye,” said Mosquera (D-Camden/Gloucester). “Putting sensors on buses simply is an additional step that can help reduce the likelihood of an accident and keep children in New Jersey safe.”

“The primary purpose of a school bus is making sure students get to and from school safely,” said Caputo (D-Essex). “This law will allow buses to better serve that purpose for the benefit of children all across New Jersey.”

“School transportation-related accidents involving small children are always some of the most tragic,” said Jasey (D-Essex/Morris). “This simple, life-saving technology can help protect students, drivers and pedestrians and prevent another New Jersey family from losing a child.”

“Just like the seat belts, flashing lights and extended stop arms with which school buses already are equipped, motion sensors are a safety feature that can decrease the likelihood of serious injuries and fatalities involving buses,” said Mukherji (D-Hudson). “Unfortunately, we can’t predict when and where an accident will happen, but we can and should do all that we can to make school transportation vehicles as safe as possible.”

[TLS]

This content, and any other content on TLS, may not be republished or reproduced without prior permission from TLS. Copying or reproducing our content is both against the law and against Halacha. To inquire about using our content, including videos or photos, email us at [email protected].

Stay up to date with our news alerts by following us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

**Click here to join over 20,000 receiving our Whatsapp Status updates!**

**Click here to join the official TLS WhatsApp Community!**

Got a news tip? Email us at [email protected], Text 415-857-2667, or WhatsApp 609-661-8668.

5 COMMENTS

  1. Definitely sounds like a great idea, but this cost will get passed down to the taxpayers whether the state covers this for the bus company’s or the company’s will be forced to purchase these systems themselves. No thank you.

  2. Jorgen ur totally 100% correct! And thats if we even get busses at all!!!!
    Its really astonishing how every town and city and state manages to budget bussing for all kids and all schools yet our small little town with the highest tax rate cant do that!!! Wow

  3. Keep in mind that a very small percentage of school buses are new and are therefore required to have this technology. Buses are often on the road for 15 yrs before being replaced.
    Good thing for the next generation!

  4. There is no requirement here for companies to install the technology on existing buses. The law only states newly manufactured buses. The difference in cost for a new bus would be negligible especially since most buses are leased.

Comments are closed.