Montgomery County this week is stepping up its efforts to stop drivers from passing stopped school buses.
In a new, minute-long public service announcement, one such driver is shown getting pulled over by a cop. Except, it’s not just any cop, but a kid dressed in full uniform who then puts the driver in timeout. He then explains the dangers of passing buses dropping off or picking up students.
The county began attaching cameras attached to bus stop sign arms in January. Fines for being caught on an automated school bus camera are $125, with no points. If a police officer observes a driver passing a stopped school bus, it’s can mean a $570 fine and three points.
In just the first three months of the camera program, police issued 272 citations for drivers caught on camera passing a stopped bus. The cameras were eventually deployed on 25 buses.
Police projected that about 100 citations will be issued per month during the 2014-2015 school year. That means 1,000 total citations over a 10-month school calendar. Assuming a 90 percent collection rate, that would net the county about $112,500 in revenue.
Video via Montgomery County
