The fourth paragraph of “Accounted For” on page 24 of School Transportation New Magazine’s article in the September 2024 issue with the subheading “Lighting the way” is incorrect. STN states “The school transportation industry anticipates a positive impact from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Stop for School Buses Act and the resulting national Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s report on school bus safety technology and laws to Congress, which is expected next year. Some of the solutions sure to be discussed by NHTSA include school bus lighting and signage.”
To correct this misstatement: Gardian Angel, LLC explains - A more accurate statement would be: “The school transportation industry anticipates a positive impact from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Stop for School Buses Act and the resulting National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s report on school bus safety technology and laws to Congress, which is expected very soon. One of the solutions sure to be discussed by NHTSA includes school bus lighting.”
Gardian Angel, LLC explains in more detail, our company has been in contact with NHTSA’s Safety Countermeasures Division, in the Office of Safety Programs over this past year and has discussed this matter with several members including the Chief. In a statement released to Gardian Angel, LLC by NHTSA, “…we cannot provide an actual date or time frame on when the report will be released. These reports go through a rigorous agency review which includes multiple office reviews and to our editing team for proper formatting and layout. We strive to publish accurate quality products and we appreciate your patience as the report completes the process.”
Gardian Angel, LLC is anticipating that NHTSA wants to release the school bus safety technology report soon per the following reasons including their own federal campaigns and deadlines set by Federal law as shown below, yet Gardian Angel, LLC reiterates NHTSA’s statement from above.
· via the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law “Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall review and evaluate the effectiveness of various technologies… The Secretary shall make the findings of the review under paragraph (1) publicly available on the website of the Department.”
· NHTSA has campaigns during October 21-25, 2024 which is National School Bus Safety Week
· and NHTSA also recognizes October as Pedestrian Safety Month.
Gardian Angel, LLC goes on to explain the reason behind another issue in the published article. Some of the solutions sure to be discussed by NHTSA include school bus lighting. Gardian Angel, LLC purposely omits STN’s previous statement of “..and signage”
Gardian Angel, LLC reiterates the fact school bus signage is NOT included in NHTSA’s evaluation as directed by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Gardian Angel shares the text from page 135 STAT. 811]], of Public Law No: 117-58., formerly known as H.R.3684 - Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
This passage as shown below which explains SCHOOL BUS LIGHTING like the Gardian Angel IS INCLUDED however signage IS NOT INCLUDED despite the ongoing efforts by sign-making companies and their ties to advertisements in the school bus trade magazines. Gardian Angel, LLC reminds readers that NHTSA is NOT REQUIRED to evaluate signage like they are lighting. NHTSA however, may do so it’s just not directed as by Federal law like school bus lighting is.
To clarify this issue, here is the full text from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law as it pertains to Review of Technologies relating to School Buses. You can see that LIGHTING is mentioned along with cameras, and audible warning systems, however signage is OMITED from this Federal law.
Text as shown below:
“…(c) Review of Technologies.--
(1) <<NOTE: Reports. Evaluation.>> In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall review and evaluate the effectiveness of various technologies for enhancing school bus safety, including technologies such as--
(A) cameras;
(B) audible warning systems; and
(C) enhanced lighting.
(2) Inclusions.--The review under paragraph (1)--
(A) <<NOTE: Assessments.>> shall include--
(i) an assessment of-
(I) the costs of acquiring and operating new equipment;
(II) the potential impact of that equipment on overall school bus ridership; and
(III) motion-activated detection systems capable of—
(aa) detecting pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users located near the exterior of the school bus; and
(bb) alerting the operator of the school bus of those road users;
(ii) an assessment of the impact of advanced technologies designed to improve loading zone safety; and
(iii) an assessment of the effectiveness of school bus lighting systems at clearly communicating to surrounding drivers the appropriate actions those drivers should take; and
(B) <<NOTE: Evaluation.>> may include an evaluation of any technological solutions that may enhance school bus safety outside the school bus loading zone.
(3) Consultation.--In carrying out the review under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consult with- (A) manufacturers of school buses;
(B) manufacturers of various technologies that may enhance school bus safety; and
(C) representatives of the school bus industry from the public and private sectors.
(4) <<NOTE: Public information. Web posting.>> Publication.--The Secretary shall make the findings of thereview under paragraph (1) publicly available on the website of the Department.
(d) Review of Driver Education Materials.--
(1) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall--
(A) review driver manuals, handbooks, and other materials in all States to determine whether and the means by which illegal passing of school buses is addressed in those driver materials, including in--
(i) testing for noncommercial driver's licenses; and
(ii) road tests; and
[[Page 135 STAT. 812]]
(B) <<NOTE: Recommendations.>> make recommendations on methods by which States can improve education regarding the illegal passing of school buses, particularly for new drivers.
(2) Consultation.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consult with--
(A) representatives of the school bus industry from the public and private sectors;
(B) States;
(C) State motor vehicle administrators or senior State executives responsible for driver licensing; and
(D) other appropriate motor vehicle experts.
(3) <<NOTE: Public information. Web posting.>>
Publication.--The Secretary shall make the findings of the review under paragraph (1) publicly available on the website the Department.
(e) Review of Other Safety Issues.--
(1) <<NOTE: Research and development. Reports.>> In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall research and prepare a report describing any relationship between the illegal passing school buses and other safety issues, including issues such as--
(A) distracted driving;
(B) poor visibility, such as morning darkness;
(C) illumination and reach of vehicle headlights;
(D) speed limits; and
(E) characteristics associated with school bus stops, including the characteristics of school bus stops in rural areas.
(2) <<NOTE: Public information. Web posting.>>
Publication.--The Secretary shall make the report under paragraph (1) publicly available on the website of the Department.
As you can see, like the other 26 states that allow the patented Gardian Angel school bus safety lighting system. The school transportation industry anticipates a positive impact and Gardian Angel sure has lit up the attention of many and for obvious reasons...Simply put, they clearly have done their homework. Gardian Angel, LLC thanks the National Transportation Safety Board and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for their attention to the important matter of keeping your children safer as the board the safest vehicle on the road.
Do yourself a little bit more research before you leave this article; click the NTSB's Back to School Safety Webinar from August 21, 2024 and ask the questions:
School Bus LIGHTING, cameras and warning systems?...or SIGNAGE?
Which one is omitted??
Now ask yourself which one is more credible after reading the facts, not just advertisements.
view the NTSB's Back to School Safety Webinar here:
To learn more truths about the school bus industry click www.GardianAngelLLC.com
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