State lawmaker introduces bill to increase safety requirements after teen leaves private school shuttle without stop sign – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports

On November 27, 2024By Pranco

(WSVN) – A South Florida student was hit and injured after getting off a school bus. According to his mother, the accident could have been prevented. Now her drive to create change has led a state lawmaker to take action. 7New’s Heather Walker has the latest in this 7Investigates update.

Offenders caught red-handed. Cameras installed on Miami-Dade school buses recording the license plates of cars that pass illegally.

Such technology is relatively new.

But stop signs on school buses are not.

Dr. Regina Saenz: “I didn’t want to watch the video right away.”

As 7investigates reported in Maythere was no stop sign on the private school bus that dropped Nicholas Suarez-Saenz off in Coral Gables after school.

On a neighbor’s security camera, you can see the 15-year-old starting to cross the street.

The next moment he’s hit by this van.

According to the police, the driver crossed a double yellow line.

Nicholas Suarez-Saenz: “I was really lucky. A second later on his side, or a second earlier for me, I couldn’t be here for this interview right now.

His mother, doctor Regina Saenz, feared the worst.

Dr. Regina Saenz: “I made a few phone calls and asked people to pray.”

Fortunately, Nicholas only suffered minor injuries, but his mother says the accident revealed a major problem. In Florida, stop signs are required on public school buses, but not on private school buses. Now that could soon change.

Dr. Regina Saenz: “My goal in speaking out, even though it was difficult, was to share our experiences and promote change to ensure that every child receives the same protections when they go to school.”

Enter Senate Bill 52filed last week by Senator Ileana Garcia.

If successfulthe bill would require stop signs on all school buses and vehicles. Senator Garcia tells us, “This legislation would standardize safety requirements for all school buses and vehicles, ensuring students are transported safely regardless of whether they attend public, private or charter schools.”

Dr. Regina Saenz: “I became emotional because I felt there was an opportunity to protect other children, and not to suffer an incident like my child experienced.”

Senator Garcia says what the family experienced: “Highlighted the urgent need for better safety standards in private school transportation.”

Dr. Regina Saenz: “I am very hopeful and it is satisfying to see that someone has listened.”

The 2025 legislative session doesn’t start until March, and introducing a bill is just the first step. But Dr. Saenz believes it is a step in the right direction.

Dr. Regina Saenz: “If at some point another child can be prevented from being injured while being transported from school, that would be very satisfying to me.”

A parent who turns her family’s pain into an effort to help others.

Heather Walker, 7News.

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