TOWSON, MD—The Baltimore County Police Department has announced a new school bus camera safety program that will send fines to drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses.

The $250 fines will be for those who pass stopped school buses with red lights activated. The new program aims to deter dangerous driving habits around school buses.

The Baltimore County Police Department said that data shows 43.5 million drivers illegally pass stopped school buses every year nationwide. The hope is that the cameras will make the roadways safer for the 80,000 students who are transported to and from school in Baltimore County every year.

“Keeping our students safe is a priority for all of us in Baltimore County — and we are excited for the opportunity to use new data and technology to ensure that children can travel to and from school in safety,” said Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski. “Thanks to the partnership between our police, public school system, and AngelTrax, this initiative will enable Baltimore County to cite reckless drivers and make our roadways and communities safer for all residents.”

The cameras will be mounted on all school buses. Motorists who illegally pass a stopped school bus with activated flashing red lights will be subject to a $250 fine. Each citation will be verified by AngelTrax and reviewed, verified, and approved by an employee of the Baltimore County Police Department. Following that review, citations will be mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle. No points are associated with the issuance of a citation.

“BCPS is excited to implement this student safety initiative, in partnership with the Baltimore County government and the Baltimore County Police Department,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers. “It takes all of us doing our part to keep children safe as they walk to school, cross our roadways, and get on and off the school bus. Each year, we hear horrifying stories of cars that pass stopped buses at alarmingly high rates of speed. This is unacceptable, and I implore all drivers to slow down and take extra caution on the road as students across the state are returning to school.”

Warning notices will be mailed to motorists for at least 30 days before the enforcement of fines. The Baltimore County Police Department hopes the cameras will encourage safer practices around school buses.

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.

Photo via BCoPD