WESTOVER, MD (August 26, 2024) – Somerset County Public Schools (SCPS) and the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office recently shared alarming new data showing motorists failing to stop for school buses as they pick up or drop off students on their way to school.
During the 2023-2024 school year, the Somerset Sheriff’s Office issued 326 citations for illegally passing a school bus. The bulk of the incidents occurred in February 2024 with 50 violations. Children were most at risk during the afternoon hours, with most violations occurring between 2:00-4:00 pm.
SCPS partnered with BusPatrol, the nation’s most deployed school bus safety camera solution in 2022, to modernize the entire fleet of over 40 buses with cutting-edge automated photo enforcement technology. The program creates evidence packages to aid law enforcement in addressing illegal school bus passings.
Mike Bartemy, Supervisor of Transportation & Operations for SCPS shared, “The results are concerning, but not surprising, given the national epidemic that exists with illegal school bus passings. We are thankful for the partnership with BusPatrol as it provides the most advanced technology to better enforce state laws, hold violators accountable and enhance the safety of our school buses on the road.”
Somerset County Sheriff, Ronald Howard, shared “School Bus stops are dangerous. With each stop comes the potential for a child to get injured. One of the program’s main goals is to educate and prevent a tragedy from happening. Last year 326 citations were issued. Bus Patrol has been great with its technology and the evidence we’ve been able to use in court for those who wish to challenge a citation. When the School Bus lights are Flashing Red, STOP. Safety is the Priority”
Each year, thousands of children are needlessly put at risk due to reckless and illegal driver behavior around school buses, which can have fatal and tragic consequences. According to the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services, school buses are passed over 43 million times per year in the United States.
According to state law, vehicles approaching in either direction must stop at least 20 feet away from a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing. Motorists may not proceed until the school vehicle resumes motion or the flashing red lights are deactivated. This does not apply to vehicles approaching on a different roadway or a divided highway.
