Bill > S0406

This bill amends South Carolina law to enhance enforcement and penalties for vehicles that fail to stop for school buses with activated amber signals. The legislation creates a comprehensive system for citing and penalizing drivers who do not stop when a school bus has its warning lights on, with escalating financial consequences for repeated violations. Under the new law, the Department of Education can assess civil penalties starting at $100 for a first violation within a year, increasing to $250 for subsequent violations. The bill requires school bus operators to report violations within 24 hours and provides a detailed process for notifying vehicle owners, including sending multiple notices before potential court action. If a vehicle owner fails to pay assessed penalties, they may face additional fines up to $500, and the Department of Motor Vehicles can suspend the vehicle's registration until the judgment is satisfied. The law provides some defenses for vehicle owners, such as if the vehicle was stolen at the time of the violation or if the current owner was not the owner when the violation occurred. Ultimately, the bill aims to improve school bus safety by creating stronger deterrents and a more structured enforcement mechanism for drivers who do not stop when school buses are loading or unloading students.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=0406&session=126&summary=B