"We're making a big change:" Council members continue to debate safer school bus loading, unloading stops

MILWAUKEE -- An effort to slow traffic down when school buses are loading and unloading is, again, stuck in committee on Thursday, November 12th. There are lots of ideas about what to do -- like flashing red lights or a stop arm. So, what's the problem?

School bus

"I think it's safer. Community members think it's safer that vehicles stop when we unload students," said Milwaukee Alderman Jose Perez.

Currently, state law stops bus drivers from using their warning lights in areas that have sidewalks and curbs on both sides of the road, unless the local municipality decides to change that rule.

That's what this proposal is all about.

School bus meeting

"This is about slowing traffic when school buses come to a stop to unload and load students," said Perez.

Thursday saw another long round of back and forth between supporters and opponents.

School bus meeting

"We're making a big change. We're causing traffic to stop 89,000 times a day -- each one of those will this cause potential for other crashes," said Milwaukee Alderman Terry Witkowski.

School bus meeting

In the end, council members chose to, yet again, keep the proposal in committee. The decision came as council members appeared to be haggling over the proposed ordinances fine print.

"In my opinion, this is not the time or place at this committee to be debating what word should go where and whatever, and I would ask that this either be held again or we take a vote," said Milwaukee Alderman Bob Donovan.

Despite another delay, Alderman Perez says he's going to keep at it, to get this proposal moving forward.