Wyn Delano
WMAL.com
In January of 2014, Montgomery County began installing cameras on school busses to cite and deter drivers who didn’t respect the stop signs that ostensibly protect students getting off at bus stops around the county.
Now, almost three years later, the cameras are giving out an astounding 88 citations a day.
“So many vehicles are passing school buses and putting our kids at risk – it’s not a good situation ” says Montgomery County Police Captain Tom Didone.
The program, which has been phased in gradually, has seen an exponential increase in violations as more and more busses are equipped with the technology.
In the first two and a half years of the program, approximately 4,800 violations were recorded by 25 enforcement cameras.
In October 2016, the program switched vendors to expand the program, creating a public/private partnership where the vendor receives a portion of ticket revenue in exchange for installing the cameras at no up front cost.
Between October and March, 103 school buses issued 7,250 citations. In the end of April 114 cameras were added leaving 217 busses snapping photos of motorists ignoring flashing bus stop signs.
Crunching the numbers it looks like the number of citations have increased drastically as the program has expanded, but Captain Didone says that there really isn’t a comparison:
“I don’t think its a good comparison to compare 25 cameras and try to draw conclusions to them. I think now that we are issuing more citations out there we are touching and reaching more drivers,” he said.
In what is – according to Captain Didone – a common practice for digital citations, the fines for a ticket via camera are much less than a traditional ticket – a palatable $125 compared to the $570 and three points on your licence for being stopped by police.
However, according to Didone, the fine will double to $250 starting in October in an attempt to discourage people from passing those busses.
He cites a combination of distracted drivers and a number of people who just don’t understand the law as to the large scope of the issue.
“People don’t understand the premisce that paint doesn’t protect. What I mean by that is, if the only thing between you and a school bus is a painted line under Maryland law you have to stop.” Didone says.
“Kids are unpredictable” he adds.
With plans to expand the cameras to all 1,200 of the county’s busses in the next three years, time will be the judge as to whether this program will truly protect children or is just another high-tech nuisance for motorists in Montgomery County. But it does provide some extra information to police:
“It will be interesting to see how many of these [tickets] are repeat offenders.” Didone says.
If nothing else, however, it documents this safety issue in a uniquely 21st century way – a way that, if eventually successful, could become commonplace around the country.
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