DRIVERS will be at risk of being hit with hefty fines if they are caught violating a new law that is set to come into force.
But, some believe the authorities should crack down further, claiming the penalty isn’t enough.
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And, it won’t be cops that will be stopping drivers by the roadside when the measure comes into force in September.
Cameras are being installed on school buses to stop drivers illegally passing them.
The technology, provided by BusPatrol, involves cameras and AI software to detect violations, which in turn passes them over to police for review.
The cameras work by taking a 360-degree view of the area around the bus, and if a driver passes illegally, then the offense is captured on video.
Drivers that are caught are slapped with a $300 penalty.
But, fines will be distributed among different agencies.
The penalty will be divided among BusPatrol, the local school district, cops, and the Pennsylvania Department of Transport, as per The Bucks County Courier Times.
While the system has proven effective in reducing violations, concerns have been raised around the allocation of funds, as well as the cost of enforcement and the fairness of tickets issued.
Chief Joseph Bartorilla said: “We all know how dangerous it is when a driver passes a stopped school bus while its red lights are flashing and the stop arm is deployed.
“This isn’t just illegal, it puts the lives of children at serious risk.
“Unfortunately, despite ongoing public awareness efforts these violations continue.”
Drivers can appeal their tickets if they believe the penalty was wrongly issued.
Offenders will not have any points added to their licenses.
According to its statistics, Bensalem Township has around 5,000 school bus stop-arm violations each year.
Warrington reports 400 a month, with Falls boasting between 200 and 300 a month.
Laws on Passing a School Bus
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA), it’s illegal in all 50 states to pass a school bus when it is stopped, the red strobe lights are flashing, and the stop sign is deployed.
“All States require the traffic in both directions to stop on undivided highways when students are getting on or off a school bus,” the agency’s website reads.
Florida launched a program in May 2024 that will cite drivers illegally passing stopped school buses with the help of AI-powered cameras to capture footage of violators, citing an important law.
In Florida, Chapter 316 Title 19 reads:
- Any person using, operating, or driving a vehicle on or over the roads or highways of this state shall, upon approaching any school bus which displays a stop signal, bring such vehicle to a full stop while the bus is stopped, and the vehicle shall not pass the school bus until the signal has been withdrawn. A person who violates this section commits a moving violation, punishable as provided in chapter 318.
- Any person using, operating, or driving a vehicle that passes a school bus on the side that children enter and exit when the school bus displays a stop signal commits a moving violation, punishable as provided in Chapter 318, and is subject to a mandatory hearing under the provisions of s. 318.19
Source: NHSTA, Florida Legislature
To this end, the police departments in Bucks County with BusPatrol say that most violations happen on multi-lane highways without physical barriers dividing the lanes.
While the law itself has been largely praised, board members Dana Kane and Amy Strouse of the Middletown Township Board of Supervisors have grown concerned over how each $300 fine is divided.
Specifically, the breakdown sees $150 goes to BusPatrol, $100 to the Neshaminy School District, $25 goes to PennDOT and $25 goes to the police department.
Kane has questioned whether $25 per violation is enough to cover the costs of a cop spending a few hours several days a week looking at BusPatrol videos.
On social media, many locals feel the fines and punishment should be more severe.
“$300? How about $3,000?,” said one Facebook user.
Another added: “That’s not enough. That’s like a littering fine. Passing a school bus on the right side will result in dead children.”
And a third commented: “It’s supposed to be higher according to the law and six-month suspension of your license.”
