Police Issue More Than 30,000 Citations for Passing School Buses Illegally
More than 32,500 citations have been issued to drivers passing school buses illegally during the 2017-2018 school year, according to data from the Montgomery County Police Department.
These numbers represent the number of citations issued since school started in September up until the beginning of June, and according to Captain Tom Didone, that equates to an average of 179 citations a day.
Under Maryland state law, motorists are required to stop when a school bus displays flashing red lights and are required to remain still until the bus lights are turned off. The fine for passing a school bus illegally is $250.
During the 2016-2017 school year, more than 16,400 citations were issued but there were only 217 cameras installed by the end of the school year, according to Didone. This school year, 500 buses are equipped with cameras.
Overall, officers have issued approximately 48,900 citations since the program started in October of 2016, and according to Capt. Didone, more than 1,700 are repeat offenders.
The Fine For Passing a Stopped School Bus Has Increased (VIDEO)
WOW! Let’s double the fine again. If these violators are ignoring the danger, I’m happy to take more of their money.
Even if these fines are doubled the drivers would still violate the law and pass the stopped school busses. I think that they should get a ping on their driver’s licenses too….or maybe have them suspended for a period of time.