NSTA Presses NHTSA on School Bus Passing Law

School bus contractors met with federal safety regulators to back legislation for a national campaign against illegally passing stopped buses.

Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Administration

NSTA Presses NHTSA on School Bus Passing Law

Live Poll

Should the federal government fund a national ad campaign against passing school buses?

Leaders of the National School Transportation Association met with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Administrator Jonathan Morrison and senior staff in Washington, D.C. The group presented school bus contractors' perspective and voiced support for the bipartisan Brake for Kids Act.

Why it matters

Illegal passing of stopped school buses puts students at risk as they board and exit. Because NHTSA cannot act unilaterally on a national public service announcement campaign, legislation is needed to direct the agency to develop one.

A 2024 NHTSA survey found 24% of people did not know passing a stopped school bus is illegal. The Brake for Kids Act (H.R. 2348/S. 2812) remains pending, and its outcome has not been determined.

The players

National School Transportation Association (NSTA)

The national association representing school bus contractors, which advocates for student transportation safety and policy.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

The federal agency responsible for vehicle and traffic safety in the United States, including school bus passing rules and public awareness campaigns.

Jonathan Morrison

The Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, who leads the federal agency responsible for traffic safety policy.

The details

NSTA Executive Director Curt Macysyn attended alongside Lobbyist Becky Weber, Government Relations Chair Carina Noble, and Government Relations Coordinator Jordyn Ewing-Anderson. NHTSA also offers ready-to-use Traffic Safety Marketing campaign resources to stakeholders, and contractors discussed how they amplify those messages locally.

2024: NHTSA survey finds 24% of people unaware passing a stopped school bus is illegal.
Recently: NSTA leaders meet NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison in Washington, D.C.
January 2027: NHTSA hosts a Safety Focus Group at the NSTA Midwinter Meeting in Palm Springs.

Policy Context

NSTA's push tracks the bipartisan Brake for Kids Act, introduced in the House by Representatives Pete Stauber, Rudy Yakym, Seth Moulton, and Julia Brownley and in the Senate by Senators Todd Young and Gary Peters. The bill would direct NHTSA to develop a national school bus passing PSA campaign, which the agency cannot launch on its own.

Drivers should stop for school buses with flashing lights and an extended stop arm, both in their own lane and in the opposite lane of divided roads, to protect students boarding and exiting. Parents can also review school bus safety with children, since many drivers remain unaware of the rule.

The takeaway

Because 24% of people did not know passing a stopped school bus is illegal, awareness gaps persist even for well-established traffic laws. Drivers who learn the rule and follow it reduce risk for students at the most vulnerable moments of their day.