The enforcement of Buffalo's school bus stop arm camera program officially began on October 1st and the initial results are staggering. In just over three weeks, city officials report that 2,250 drivers have been ticketed for illegally passing stopped school buses. However, as of Tuesday, only 207 of those drivers have paid their fines.
According to Erie County Clerk Mickey Kearns, the penalties for these violations are steep and include potential jail time. A first offense incurs a fine starting at $250 and possible 30 days in jail, while a second offense can range from $600 to $750 and possible 180 days in jail. Drivers facing a third conviction could be looking at fines up to $1,000 and possible 180 days in jail. Each violation also results in five points added to the driver's license.
Prior to the enforcement phase, a three-month grace period allowed for warnings to be issued. Over 4,000 drivers received notices in the mail.
At a recent news conference held during National School Bus Safety Week, Buffalo Public Schools' Chief Operating Officer David Hills emphasized the necessity of the bus camera program.
"We needed to do something comprehensive, community-wide, and as strategic as possible to ensure our students are safe," Hills stated. "We know that this will make a difference, but it will take some time. The large anecdotal reporting indicated the seriousness of the problem, and now we have numbers to back it up."
Over 2,200 Violations for Passing School Buses in First Month