Frederick County Buses Will Have Cameras To Catch & Fine Drivers Who Pass Illegally
FREDERICK COUNTY, Md. (WJZ)—Frederick County is putting more eyes on drivers who don't stop for school buses. The county will be the first in Maryland to install cameras on buses.
Monique Griego has more on how the new program works.
When the red lights are flashing and the stop sign is out, drivers are supposed to stop.
But that's not always the case.
"They're in a big hurry going no place," said Mac Mclean.
Before Mclean was the acting director of transportation for Frederick County Public Schools, he spent seven years driving a school bus.
"We've had close calls and even had children struck in Frederick County," Mclean said.
Frederick County will now be the first in Maryland to start the CrossSafe program. It uses cameras on school buses to catch and then fine drivers who pass illegally.
"The goal in Frederick County is the safety of the children," said Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins.
A 2007 statewide study by the Maryland Department of Education found 7,000 cases of drivers passing illegally in one day.
These cameras will now monitor kids getting on and off the bus and take a picture and video of drivers who don't stop in either direction.
Once a camera clocks a driver, the video will be sent to the sheriff's office for review before a ticket is sent out.
Violators will face a fine of $125.
But Jenkins says this isn't a revenue-making machine because the county won't take in any revenue off the first 4,000 violations, which by the numbers could take up to 10 years.
"If there is eventually a cut that goes to the county government, that money will be used to fund crossing guard positions. So it goes right back in to the safety of students," Jenkins said.
The county hopes to install cameras on 40 buses by the end of the year.
