United States Representative Anthony Brindisi visited the Westmoreland Central School District on May 13 to bring awareness to and advocate for bipartisan legislation intended to improve school bus safety.
During a news conference at the Bus Garage, Representative Brindisi highlighted the “Stop for School Buses Act.” The act, which Representative Brindisi is co-sponsoring, aims to find ways to prevent the dangerous and illegal passing of school buses. 
“As a former school board member and a dad to two young kids, keeping students safe on their way to and from school is personal for me,” Brindisi said. “Every driver on the road has a responsibility to follow the law and exercise caution when a school bus is near. Our kids’ lives depend on it.”
According to Representative Brindisi, an average of nine to 15 children are killed each year while boarding or exiting school buses near traffic, and a total of 15 million illegal passing incidents occur during every 180-day school year. The “Stop for School Buses Act” would direct a comprehensive, nationwide review of efforts to prevent the illegal passing of school buses. More specifically, the bill asks the United States Department of Transportation to:
· Compile illegal passing laws in all states, including levels of enforcement and penalties;
· Review existing public safety measures and programs to prevent illegal passing of school buses;
· Issue recommendations on best practices for preventing illegal passing;
· Evaluate the effectiveness of various technologies that may help prevent illegal passing incidents;
· Review driver education materials in all states to determine whether more information about illegal passing should be provided to drivers;
· Research connections between illegal passing of school buses and other safety issues; and
· Create and execute a public safety messaging campaign to promote safe driving when children are present and highlight the dangers of illegal passing.
“School buses are schools on wheels, and it’s important that school bus safety is a top priority,” Westmoreland Superintendent of Schools Rocco Migliori said. “As we take steps to address the safety of students in our school buildings, we must do the same for when they are on the road. The ‘Stop for School Buses Act’ is a good first step.”
“As both the Director of Transportation for the Westmoreland Central School District and President of the New York Association for Pupil Transportation, I am very excited to see a bill like this one presented at the national level,” Michael Sweeney added. “Today’s motoring public is often easily distracted and in a rush while driving, and this puts the safety of our children and bus drivers in danger. Hopefully, this bill will better educate the public about the rules of the road, and prevent the illegal passing of school buses when their red lights are flashing.”
Representative Brindisi is actively promoting the “Stop for School Buses Act” after the Norwich City School District released a video in early May of Norwich bus driver, Samantha Call, saving a student from being hit by an illegally passing car. Call, Sweeney and Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol joined Representative Brindisi at the news conference held at the Westmoreland Central School District.