Community Corner

Survey Finds More Drivers Ignoring School Bus Stop Signs

More than 85,000 drivers passed school buses in one day, a survey found.

By Patch Editor Whitney Teal

The number of drivers ignoring school bus stop signs that allow kids to cross the streets safely is growing.

The National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services’ annual survey found 85,279 drivers illegally pass school buses. Last year, that number was 88,025, and in 2011 it was 76,685, according to a statement by American Traffic Solutions, a company that sells school bus cameras.

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Since 1970, 467 students have been killed trying to get on or off school buses, American Traffic Solutions reported.

More jurisdictions are turning to cameras to identify and ticket offending drivers, according to the report.

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Montgomery County passed a law in March 2012 that fines drivers up to $250 for passing school buses stopped with their stop sign out and lights flashing. In 2011, the Maryland General Assembly voted to allow school systems to install cameras on buses to catch sign-runners and capped fines for violators at $250.


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