After less than two weeks of school, Baltimore County Police have issued more than 800 warning citations to drivers as part of a new school bus camera program.
Baltimore County Public Schools and police launched the program on the first day of school, Aug. 26, equipping all buses with interior and exterior automated cameras to discourage drivers from passing illegally. For the first 30 days of the program, warnings are being given out to those who pass the buses’ stop signs.
County police said they issued 805 warning citations as of Tuesday, according to Trae Corbin, a police spokesperson.
“Results of the program thus far underscore how important it is that all of us do our part to keep children safe as they walk to and from school, cross our roadways, and get on and off the school bus,” the school district said in an emailed statement. “It is simply unacceptable — and illegal — when vehicles pass stopped buses, some at alarmingly high rates of speed. BCPS strongly advises all drivers to slow down and take extra caution on the road.”
After the initial 30-day period, violating drivers will get a $250 citation 10 days after the incident. Citations will be mailed to the vehicle’s registered owner, but no driver’s license points will be issued.
Maryland law requires drivers traveling in both directions to stop at least 20 feet from a stopped school bus with activated flashing lights. If a physical barrier, such as a median, is present, only traffic going the same direction as the bus must stop until lights are deactivated.
