Remembering Jackie Walorski and the M.A.X. Strong Bill

It's been one year since Jackie Walorski's tragic death in a car crash on Wednesday, August 3, 2022, but her voice for the M.A.X. Strong Bill continues to save children today. 

The 2019 congress bill, Stop for School Buses Act of 2019, is in response to the death of three children, Mason (6), Alivia (9) and Xzavier (6), who were crossing the street at a Fulton County bus stop and were killed on October 30, 2018.

Walorski endeavored to increase school bus technology, including safety measures, and to hold motorists accountable for driving around school buses. 

Senator Todd Young posted footage of himself and Walorski from 2019 examining the safety precautions added to school buses.

"The stop for school buses act is designed to survey all the national technology to ensure that we implement appropriate safety counter measures that no more children, like the three who passed away in Rochester, Ind., are killed in account of illegal school bus passing," said Young. 

Passed in 2019, the State Senate Bill 2 on school bus safety defines its objectives as requiring school buses to have black reflective tape and have daytime running lights illuminated at all times.

Additionally, if drivers commit a bus stop arm infraction, courts can suspend the driver's license for up to 90 days. 

It will be a Class A demeanor if the driver recklessly passes a school bus when it's stop arm is extended on a roadway or private road. 

Drivers will be given a Level 6 felony charge if that reckless pass results in injury and a Level 5 felony if that reckless pass results in death. 

In a survey taken by bus drivers, it was found that during the 2011-2022 school year, over 51,500 cars passed buses illegally in a single day. 

To adhere to the Stop for School Buses act, follow these rules:

1. Two-lane roads. If a school bus is stopped on a two-lane road without a median, both directions must stop. 

2. Four or more lanes with median. If a bus is stopped on a four-lane road with a median (concrete, grass, unpaved separation) those traveling behind the bus must stop. Opposite traffic can keep moving. 

3. Four or more lanes without median. If a bus is stopped on this road, all vehicles traveling in either direction must stop. 

4. Four or more lanes with center turn lanes. If a bus is stopped on this road, all vehicles traveling in either direction must stop. 

For rules and graphics for every state, check out Education Week's website. 

The M.A.X Strong Bill may have put these rules into place, but gone-to-soon lives of Mason, Alivia and Xzavier are not forgotten. Their parents have started MAX Strong Forever in their memory. 

ABC57 will continue to report on the legacy of congresswoman Jackie Walorski. Stay tuned for more.