NJ Legislation Would Create Bus Driver Safety Notification System

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Federal and state officials Tuesday announced the introduction of legislation that would create a state system where school districts and school bus companies would be notified of traffic violations by bus drivers.

The bipartisan Miranda Vargas School Bus Driver Red Flag Act – or “Miranda’s Law” — was announced in Lodi by Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), state representatives, and Joevanny Vargas, the father of 10-year-old Miranda Vargas, who was killed in a school bus crash May 17. Miranda Vargas and a teacher from East Brook Middle School in Paramus were killed when the school bus they were in collided with a dump truck on Interstate 80.

If approved by the State Legislature and signed by Governor Phil Murphy, the law would require school districts and school bus companies to be automatically notified within 24 hours when one of their school bus drivers receives a traffic violation. Patch could not obtain a copy of the legislation.

“Miranda’s Law is an important step towards making sure school districts across the country have the information they need on their drivers in real time,” said Joevanny Vargas, Miranda Vargas' father. “We need to make sure we hold schools accountable once they have that information so they don’t let bad drivers behind the wheel and put our children in harm’s way.”

Under current federal regulations, employers of school bus drivers are required to check their employees' driving history annually. If the legislation is approved, employers would automatically be notified in real-time when a bus driver's license status changes because of a moving violation, crash, or license suspension.

“We need to prevent people with questionable driving histories from operating our school buses,” said state Democratic Senator Joe Lagana (District 38). "This is just one of a few pieces of legislation we’re working on to keep our children safe.”

The legislation is modeled after the Miranda Vargas School Bus Driver Red Flag Act, federal legislation Gottheimer introduced earlier this year, which would call for similar regulations at the federal level.

“No parent should be worried about their child’s safety on his or her way to school,” said Gottheimer, a Democrat (NJ-5). “Let’s continue to honor Miranda’s life and recommit ourselves to doing everything we can to make sure our kids, our teachers, and our families are as safe as they can be. We cannot afford to let the safety of our children become a partisan issue. It is a mom and dad issue.”

The legislation is in addition to a comprehensive seven-bill package addressing school bus safety concerns and strengthening protections for New Jersey students on school buses. Assembly Democrats Lisa Swain, Chris Tully and Assembly Transportation Chairman Daniel Benson are sponsoring those pieces of legislation. (See related: NJ School Bus Crashes Prompt 7 New Proposed Laws)

Hudy Muldrow Sr., the man driving the school bus Vargas and more than 40 other people were on, had his driver's license suspended 14 times, including once this year. The bus was heading to Waterloo Village in Byram when Muldrow missed an exit, authorities previously said.

Officials say Muldrow caused the horrific crash when he cut the school bus across three lanes of Route 80 traffic in an attempt to reach an official-use-only turn-around point in the median. He has been charged with two counts of death by auto, also known as vehicular homicide. Through a lawyer, Muldrow has maintained his innocence.

Paramus School District officials said they were unaware of Muldrow's driving record.

In addition to Muldrow's record, local residents and legislators said the lack of three-point seat belts on the bus contributed to the injuries sustained by those on the bus.

Governor Phil Murphy last month signed legislation requiring seat belts on certain school buses be upgraded in response to a school bus crash in May that a teacher and student were killed.

That law requires school buses to be equipped with three-point lap and shoulder seat belts for each seat.

Related:

• Murphy Signs School Bus Seat Belt Legislation Into Law
• NJ School Bus Crashes Prompt 7 New Proposed Laws
• Paramus Officials Unaware Of Bus Driver's Record: Superintendent
• Teacher, Student Confirmed Dead In Paramus Field Trip Bus Crash
• Driver Charged In Fatal NJ School Bus Crash: Prosecutor
• Seat Belts Didn't Fit Correctly Before Bus Crash: Student

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Photo: Joevanny Vargas, center Rep. Josh Gottheimer, second from left, speak in Lodi Tuesday about a bill being introduced in the New Jersey State Legislature that would alert employers when one of their bus drivers receives a traffic violation. (Courtesy of Rep. Josh Gottehimer's Congressional Office)