By: Diana Johnsen
djohnsen@kcautv.com
In May of 2011, seven year old Kadyn Halverson of Northwood, Iowa was hit and killed while boarding a school bus.
Since then, the state of Iowa has taken aggressive steps including passing Kaydn's Law to encourage drivers to be safe around loading and unloading school buses.
Unfortunately, some Sioux City drivers do not seem to be getting the message.
So far this year 32 people have been cited for passing a stopped bus. Last year that number was only 41.
The quick increase has the Sioux City School Districts transportation manager worried.
"I'm really scared to see them," said Transportation Manager, Chuck Andersen. "I've told the drivers to be overly alert."
Andersen said the main culprit for the problem is distracted drivers.
"They're on their phones, driving, texting, mesmerized by something or by work the work day, but they're not focused on driving and being aware of their environment."
First time violators of Kaydn's Law face fines between $250 and $675 dollars.
Second time offenders can face fines over $1,000 and up to a year in jail.
