Northwest Iowa — Schools are back in session in northwest Iowa, which means that motorists need to remember to be extra careful, especially in the mornings and afternoons when the kids are going to, or coming from, school.
Vince Kurtz is a Trooper with the Iowa State Patrol, and he says that, in one area school district, there have been an alarming number of drivers failing to stop for a stopped school bus.
Kurtz says that, while we haven’t had any children hit, in the past couple of years, by cars while approaching the bus, it’s just a matter of time.
Trooper Kurtz talked about what the motorist’s responsibilities are when approaching a stopped school bus.
Kurtz talked about the Kadyn Halverson case. She was an Iowa 7-year old who was killed instantly after being hit by a pickup truck that ignored her school bus’s stop arm and flashing red lights. As a result, “Kadyn’s Law’ was enacted in Iowa. Trooper Kurtz says that law seriously raised the legal penalties for passing a stopped bus.
He says that, despite the increased fines and penalties, it all pales in comparison to the death of a child.
Kurtz urged all motorists to pay attention to the road at all times. Put down the cell phones and other devices, and give your undivided attention to your driving. You just might save a life.
