By Kevin Lavery, KWMU
St. Louis – As thousands of Missouri children board buses to return to school, motorists will face stiffer penalties for failing to stop for those buses.
Currently, drivers who pass a school bus during loading and unloading are fined.
Under the new law, they could lose their license for 90 days for failing to stop, and for 120 days for a second offense.
The bill's sponsor, Democratic state representative Tim Meadows, says the law puts that decision in the hands of individual circuit judges.
"If it goes to court and you're convicted of this crime, the judge still has the right to move forward with this penalty phase, but it would be the judge's discretion" Meadows said.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration reports an average of 31 people are killed each year nationwide while boarding and exiting school buses.