In just over a month, more than 20,000 fines of $225 have been issued in Broward County, Florida, due to cameras installed on school buses catching drivers who fail to stop when the buses activate their stop signs.
The substantial number of fines serves as a stark warning to motorists in South Florida: passing a halted school bus can result in hundreds of dollars in penalties, even when no police officer is present to witness the violation directly.
According to a report by NBC6, notifications about these fines began being sent out by mail starting September 9, after drivers were given a grace period of approximately a month to get accustomed to the new monitoring system.
The figures have even surprised those overseeing the initiative. Michael Gregory, Chief of Safety and Security for Broward's School District, disclosed that between 2,000 and 4,000 potential violations are detected each week.
"The goal is to decrease violations. I'm genuinely astonished by the numbers we're witnessing," Gregory told NBC6.
Since the issuance of notices began in September, the system has already recorded over 20,000 violations, according to Gregory.
How the Monitoring System Works
The initiative operates through cameras installed on county school buses, which can capture vehicles from various angles as they drive by when the buses are stopped to pick up or drop off students.
However, the cameras themselves do not issue fines. Instead, images of potential violations are sent to authorities, where a police officer reviews them before deciding if a citation should be issued.
Officer Michael Rosario from the Broward School District Police stated he reviews hundreds of recordings daily, with many showing drivers attempting to pass before the bus completes its stop.
"People are trying to beat the bus, and that's not something they should be doing," Rosario explained.
Legal Requirements and Fines
According to Florida's laws, specifically Article 316.172, vehicles must come to a complete stop when a school bus activates its stop signals. This rule applies even to those driving in the opposite direction, except on roads divided by physical barriers.
In streets with two lanes, all vehicles must halt regardless of their direction of travel. The same obligation exists on roads with four or more lanes unless there's a physical divider.
Failure to adhere to these rules results in a $225 fine when caught by the bus cameras. When a vehicle is detected illegally passing a stopped school bus, images and footage are forwarded to law enforcement for independent review. If validated, a notice is sent to the vehicle's registered owner, detailing the incident and instructing how to view the evidence.
Reviewing and Contesting Citations
The initial fines are civil penalties and do not add points to a driver's license. However, not all violations related to school buses are treated the same, with some requiring different procedures and penalties if directly observed by traffic officers.
Drivers have the opportunity to review evidence before deciding on their course of action. The Broward School District confirms that violations can be checked through the AlertBus portal, where notifications are managed.
To access the images and videos, individuals must visit the AlertBus website and enter the notification number along with the vehicle's license plate number. Payment can be made through this portal as well.
Should a driver believe they received an incorrect fine, they have the right to contest it. Specific instructions for filing a dispute are provided on the second page of the mailed notice, and it's crucial to follow these steps carefully.
Additional information is available by contacting AlertBus's customer service at 1-877-504-7080, with representatives available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole.
Authorities emphasize that there are no current payment plan options for the initial $225 notices. Different conditions and costs might apply during later administrative procedures.
Before making payment or contesting a fine, it's essential to verify the evidence and follow official guidelines, especially if the incident took place on a road with a central divider.
Understanding Broward's School Bus Camera System
What triggers a fine from the school bus cameras in Broward?
A fine is triggered when a vehicle illegally passes a stopped school bus that has its stop signals activated, based on footage captured by the cameras.
How do authorities verify the bus camera violations?
Footage of potential violations is reviewed by a police officer before determining if a citation should be issued.
Can drivers contest a fine received from the school bus camera system?
Yes, drivers can contest fines by following the instructions provided on the notification they receive in the mail.