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Bill would offer more protection to bus-riding children

By Melinda Skutnick | Mooresville Tribune

Published: June 19, 2009

As one of the primary sponsors of a House Bill aimed at protecting children as they board and leave school buses, N.C. Rep. Grey Mills of Mooresville says legislation of this nature is "needed."

House Bill 440, also known as the Nicholas Adkins School Bus Safety Act, allows for "the use of automated camera or video recording systems to assist in the prosecution of individuals who pass stopped school buses."

"Protecting children is a priority of mine," said Mills, one of three primary sponsors from the N.C. House. "This bill is simple, yet it will have a huge impact on helping law enforcement and school officials keep our children safe."

The bill's other sponsors are Rep. Dale Folwell of Forsyth County, Rep. Nelson Cole of Rockingham County and Rep. Jimmy L. Love, Sr. from Lee County. Sen. Phil Berger from Rockingham County ushered the bill through the state Senate.

The bill is named after Nicholas Adkins, a 16-year-old Rockingham County student who was about to board a school bus when he was struck and killed by a driver who failed to yield at the "Stop" bus sign.
Mills said the legislation can reduce the number of fatalities caused each year in North Carolina by drivers illegally passing buses.

Currently, according to Mills, the North Carolina Child Fatality Task Force estimates more than 400,000 instances where drivers illegally pass a stopped school bus.

"It just seems like every so often you hear of these tragic instances that could be avoided," Mills said. "I just thought it was a good thing and it would help law enforcement."

Having already received overwhelming approval from both the state House and Senate, HB 440 has been sent to Gov. Beverly Perdue for her expected signature. The legislation would go into effect Dec. 1.

Mills noted, however, that the bill does not provide funding for the automated camera and video recording systems. Those costs, he said, "would be the responsibility of individual school districts."