COLUMBIA,
S.C. (AP) - The House Education Committee approved a bill Tuesday
that would clarify laws to protect students getting on or off school
buses.
The bill would require buses to pick up and unload students only
on the right side of roads that have two or more lanes traveling in
each direction. That way students would not have to cross the
highway.
If the bus driver sees students crossing the highway, the school
could penalize the students.
"One of the intents of this law is to simplify things, to protect
these kids, to assure us they will be getting off on the right side
of the highway," said Highway Patrol Capt. George Blackwell.
The bill also clarifies current laws to let drivers know when
they should stop for buses.
Most people think they do not have to stop on a four-lane road
without a median because of the way the current law is written, said
Donald Tudor, transportation director for the Education
Department.