JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A new Florida law for people who illegally pass a school bus takes effect on Saturday.
The Cameron Mayhew Act is named after a student who was hit and killed walking to his school bus.
Beginning Saturday, there are bigger consequences for those drivers who hit and injure or kill a student walking to their bus when the stop sign and crossing bar are out
Mayhew was a 16-year-old Fort Myers student who was hit and killed by a car while crossing the street to get on his school bus in 2016. The driver who hit Mayhew received a $1,000 fine and had his license suspended for six months. Many, including Governor Rick Scott, think that wasn’t a harsh enough punishment.
"No, it's not right, and that's really just a slap on the wrist, really, especially if it goes as far as you injuring or killing that person or child," said Cheryl Glenn, a mother.
The newly passed legislation states that those who seriously injure or kill someone while illegally passing a school bus now faces a $1,500 fine and a one-year license suspension. They must perform 120 community service hours in a trauma center and participate in a victim’s impact panel session in a judicial circuit or attending a driver improvement course. They will also receive six points on their driver’s record.
Six points is the same amount given for speeding and causing a crash. Points stay on a drivers record for three to five years.
"I see constantly when I take my son to school, people just go through the school zones, speed through it sometime," Glenn said. "There is a sheriff's officer there to stop them. Yes, I think it's a good thing; it's needed."
"We all have to wait for it and even though high school kids are big enough and they know better to look out for cars they are still kids," said Lacey Worsdale, a mother and teacher.
Some drivers say they think there should be an even bigger punishment.
"If you're going to break the law, it should be vehicular manslaughter," said Michael Grace, a motorist. "If you're going to break the law, and somebody's life is taken, your life should be revoked as well."
We reached out to Mayhew’s family and haven’t heard back, but his mother has spoken out to the media, saying she is pleased changes are being made to make it safer for students.