INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Indiana drivers would face tougher penalties for passing stopped school buses under a bill that's been approved by legislators.
The Indiana House and Senate on Tuesday both voted in favor of the bill letting a judge suspend a driver's license for 90 days the first time someone was convicted of recklessly passing a stopped bus. Other provisions would create felony offenses to recklessly pass a bus and injure or kill someone.
Relatives of three children fatally struck while crossing a northern Indiana highway urged lawmakers to support the tougher penalties.
The youths were killed in the Oct. 30 pre-dawn collision near Rochester. The driver who hit the children told authorities she didn't realize she was approaching a stopped bus.
The bill now goes to Gov. Eric Holcomb for consideration.
