School bus cameras are set to arrive in Broward County, aimed at drivers who ignore the rules around stopped buses. Under the new system, motorists who pass a stopped school bus while its stop arm is extended will face a fine.
The penalty for breaking the rule is a 225 dollar ticket. The cameras are designed to catch drivers in the act when a bus has halted to let children on or off and has put out its stop sign on the side.
The decision to bring in the technology was made by the school board, which voted unanimously in favour of adding the cameras. The move reflects a wider push to make the daily school run safer for students across the county.
Of the 225 dollar fine, the district will receive 85 dollars. Officials say that money could be put toward things such as enhancing student transportation safety or hiring more school bus drivers.
School leaders framed the cameras as a way to protect children at one of the more dangerous moments of the school day, when they are getting on or off the bus and moving near passing traffic.
The school bus camera program is set to roll out at the end of the summer. From that point, drivers in Broward County will need to be especially careful around buses that have stopped with their stop arms extended.