Pennycuick Introduces School Bus Driver Safety Bill

RED HILL - Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R-24) introduced legislation today to increase penalties for school bus drivers who get behind the wheel to transport our children while under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance or a dangerous combination of both.

"We must do all that we can to protect children, especially as they are transported to and from school and school-sponsored events." said Pennycuick. "Alarmingly, in my legislative district, 54 school children were transported by a school bus driver who, according to the criminal investigation, tested positive for marijuana with a blood alcohol content of 0.331%, even though state law sets a strict 0.02% threshold for school bus drivers and 0.08% for non-commercial drivers. The school bus driver faces numerous felony charges of DUI, child endangerment and reckless endangerment."

Approximately 1.5 million children are transported on school buses every day in the commonwealth, and parents and guardians must have confidence that their children are in capable hands. In the past, the General Assembly has acted to protect children from dangerous motorists when loading and unloading the school bus. Now, we must take action to discourage perilous behavior by school bus drivers, Pennycuick said.

Pennycuick's legislation will create a new sentencing enhancement with the goal of deterring similar incidents in the future.

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