Doriot Authors Legislation To Improve School Bus Safety At Railroad Crossings
INDIANA — State Sen. Blake Doriot (R-Syracuse) authored legislation this session that would require the Indiana Department of Transportation to construct, in locations where practical, lanes and signs at railroad crossings on state highways to help improve school bus safety.
Senate Bill 42 would require the creation of an additional lane for the purpose of allowing a vehicle, such as school buses and hazardous material haulers, to safely stop at a railroad crossing and not impede traffic that’s not required to stop. The additional lane would also provide enough space to allow the stopped vehicle to accelerate and safely merge back into traffic.
“In the past year, Indiana saw tragic deaths as a result of traffic accidents involving school buses,” Doriot said. “Therefore, I authored SB 42 to ensure vehicles, including school buses, required to stop at railroad crossings are provided a lane to safely stop and re-enter traffic. This would greatly reduce the exposure of our children to traffic accidents.
Additionally, SB 42 would require INDOT to create signs that instruct drivers on the existence and proper use of the additional lane.
SB 42 has been assigned to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Transportation and is scheduled for a hearing Feb. 12.