Protect Our Students Act
Summary
The "Protect Our Students Act" (H.R. 6821) aims to enhance school zone safety by amending Title 23 of the United States Code. It seeks to include reducing injuries and deaths from crashes in school zones as eligible programming under State highway safety programs. The bill allocates additional federal funding and attention to address prevalent school zone safety issues.
Expected Effects
This act would broaden the scope of highway safety programs to specifically include school zone safety improvements. It directs the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations clarifying eligible uses for these funds, such as crossing guards, signage, and traffic calming measures. Additionally, it increases the allocation of funds for these programs from 40% to 50%.
Potential Benefits
- Increased safety for students walking to and from school.
- Potential reduction in traffic-related injuries and fatalities in school zones.
- Improved infrastructure around schools, such as crosswalks and traffic lights.
- Enhanced funding for state highway safety programs focused on school zones.
- Clarification and standardization of eligible safety measures through federal regulations.
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased federal spending on highway safety programs, potentially impacting other areas.
- Potential for increased regulation and federal oversight of state and local transportation projects.
- Possible delays in project implementation due to regulatory processes.
- The effectiveness of the measures depends on proper implementation and enforcement at the local level.
- Increased use of automated traffic enforcement may raise privacy concerns for some individuals.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the Constitution's general welfare clause (Preamble) by promoting the safety and well-being of students. Congress has the power to regulate interstate commerce (Article I, Section 8), which can be interpreted to include regulating transportation and infrastructure related to school zones. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).