If it wasn’t already clear that drivers must stop for school buses, it soon will be. On Monday, the first day of school for students, Baltimore County officials announced that new cameras will be installed on all buses to capture anyone who passes a bus without permission.
“The overall goal of this program is to make drivers more aware of students walking to and from the school bus stop and to make them aware of the importance of not passing school buses that are picking up or dropping off students,” said Myriam Rogers, superintendent of Baltimore County Public Schools.
She made the announcement at Timonium Elementary School as school buses were picking up their students. All of the system’s school buses, nearly 1,000, will be equipped with the cameras. About 350 cameras have already been installed. The rest are expected to be installed by October, a school system spokesman said.
About 80,000 students travel by bus.
The high-resolution interior and exterior cameras will capture motorists who fail to stop when a bus flashes a red light. The principal said that every year, school officials hear “horrific stories” about cars speeding past buses.
The frequency of these incidents shocked even Baltimore County Police Chief Robert McCullough. According to a study conducted by his department, 387 cars illegally passed school buses in one day.
For the next 30 days, drivers who illegally overtake a bus will be warned and face a $250 fine.
Bryan Epps, president of the union that represents school bus drivers, said this has been an issue for years and his members are excited to finally get cameras.
Speeding was also an issue for parents at Stoneleigh Elementary School last school year after a student was hit by a car. Parents called for speed cameras and speed bumps.
Some buses in the district were already equipped with cameras, but school officials say this is a significant improvement.
Rogers did not know what the total cost of the cameras would be, but said they would not be a burden on the school system.
“All costs for the cameras, GPS and other security components are funded entirely by the revenue from violations,” she said.
About the Education Hub
This reporting is part of The Banner’s Education Hub, community-funded journalism that provides parents with the resources they need to make decisions about how their children learn. Read more.
