Cameras Will Catch Drivers Who Pass Stopped SC School Buses
Drivers who decide to pass a stopped South Carolina school bus that has its flashing lights on and arms extended better be prepared for a hefty fine.
The South Carolina Department of Education has announced it’s beginning to add cameras to the stop-arms on the newest buses rolling out. Those cameras will be used to detect vehicles that pass buses while the lights are flashing and stop-arms extended. Officials say an alert will be sent to the Department of Education. In addition, images of the vehicle will be forwarded to law enforcement.
Fines For Passing South Carolina Buses
Get caught and you’ll face getting a ticket that carries a fine of $1,062. Not only that, but you’ll also get six points against your driver’s license.
“If your child was to get hit and possibly killed, his whole life is worth more than $1,062 and six points off your license,” said South Carolina Highway Patrol Commander Col. Christopher Williamson.
South Carolina logged more than 3,700 stop-arm violations last year, according to Williamson.
The first stop-arm cameras will be installed on the first 160 electric buses coming to South Carolina. Officials say they are already taking a look at retrofitting older buses with the cameras in the future.
Safety
School bus safety is a top priority for the South Carolina Department of Education.
“We have lighting on the bus alternating lights stop arms. We are in the process of adding a driver alert on the back of the door which will alert drivers that are approaching the bus from the rear that the bus is preparing to stop,” said Department of Education Safety Director Richard Podmore.
South Carolina Law Requires the Following:
- Drivers must stop for a stopped school bus when driving on a two-lane road.
- Drivers must stop on any four-lane or multi-lane highway only when traveling behind a school bus.
- Drivers must stop before attempting to pass a school bus that has red or amber signals flashing.
Drivers in South Carolina Do Not Have to Stop Around a School Bus when:
- The school bus is in a passenger loading zone completely off the main travel lanes and when pedestrians are not allowed to cross the roadway.
- A driver of a vehicle does not have to stop upon meeting a stopped school bus when traveling in the opposite direction on a multi-lane highway or multi-lane private road. Drivers must always stop on any highway when they are behind the bus.
South Carolina Department of Education officials announced the additional safety measures coming to school buses as part of National School Bus Safety Week, which runs through October 20.
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