North Iowa State Trooper Says Passing Stopped School Buses Continues to be Problem

Passing a stopped school bus is not only dangerous, it’s against the law.

Still, Iowa State Patrol Trooper Tom Williams of the Mason City District Office says it’s a problem that persists.

Williams adds that staying alert for school buses is a must with little room for error in our rural communities.

First offense for unlawful passing of a stopped school bus is a simple misdemeanor with fines ranging from at least $345 up to $930. However, the court may order imprisonment not to exceed 30 days in lieu of or in addition to a fine; with the Iowa DOT imposing a 30-day suspension of your license.

Iowa’s current assessments for violations of passing a stopped school bus were established in 2012, when then-Iowa Governor Terry Branstad signed into law the “Keep Aware Driving — Youth Need School Safety Act,” aimed at preventing other tragic deaths and serious injuries to Iowa’s school children while boarding or unloading from a school bus. 

Commonly known as Kadyn’s Law, the legislation was inspired by tragedy in north Iowa. On May 10, 2011, seven-year-old Kadyn Halverson of Northwood was struck by a pickup while trying to cross the road to board a school bus.