School Bus Safety Part Two

September 12, 2023

Welcome to part two Part 2 of our two part #traffictiptuesday series entitled.

This week our exciting finale is titled “I Disregarded The Safety Of Our Children By Driving Dangerously Around School Buses, But I Don’t Want To Pay a Big Fat Fine. What Can I Do?”

When you receive your big fat fine (see last week for more on this) you have two options. Option 1. Acknowledge that you made a dangerous decision, hang your head in shame, pay the $250 fine, and never ever ever ever pass a school bus operating flashing red lights ever again.

Option 2 is to request a court date. By following the instructions on the citation, you can ask to have your case heard before a judge. Approximately 30 days after making your request, you will receive a court date notice in the mail. This will have your name, citation information and most importantly, your court date and time. You can think of this as a summons to appear.

When your special day finally arrives, you will appear before a district court judge who will hear your case and decide your guilt or innocence. As part of the deliberation process, the judge will have access to everything related to your case. This includes photos of your vehicle and the video of the infraction. Once the judge makes this decision, you can expect one of two outcomes. You will either be found not-guilty, or you will be found guilty and told to pay a fine and/or court costs.
Obviously, the best way to avoid ANY of this would be to drive safely and slowly around school buses and ALWAYS stop for the red flashing lights.
Until next week, slow down, pay attention, wear your seatbelt, and drive safely.

HCSO Main Line – 410.838.6600
Northern Precinct – 410.692.7880
Southern Precinct – 410.612.1717
HCSO Traffic Unit – 443.409.3324
traffictiptuesday@harfordsheriff.org
@hcsotrafficsgt

School Bus Safety

September 5, 2023

This week, #traffictiptuesday will feature part one of a two-part series entitled: One of a Thousand Reasons Why It Is A Bad Idea To Ignore Red Lights On A School Bus. This week’s entry is called “Because it leads to a big fat fine.”

Picture this; you’re driving along minding your own business and for one reason or another you decide to completely disregard the safety of our school children. You see a stopped school bus and say to yourself “Hey, I’ve got things to do and places to be and I’m not gonna stop so these kids can enter the bus safely.” Lo and behold, a few weeks later check your mail to find a $250 citation waiting for you, complete with a photograph of your vehicle and a QR code you can scan to see the video of your infraction. But how does the process work?

When the bus is stopped and the alternating red lights are warning you to stop, the cameras begin recording. This recording generates a video as well as several still photos of you and your vehicle making poor choices. That recording and photos are sent to the camera-company for review. If the vendor feels that a violation has occurred, the video is uploaded to a website where it can be viewed by the Harford County Sheriff’s Office. Once the video is reviewed by Traffic Sgt Eaton, a decision needs made, citation or no citation. If I decide that no law was broken and select “no citation” you will never hear about it and no further action is necessary. However, If I select “citation approved” you can expect a package in the mail which will include a $250 fine and an opportunity to think about your poor choices.

Stay tuned next week for part two, titled: “But I Don’t Want To Pay A Big Fat Fine, What Other Options Do I Have?”

Until next week, slow down, pay attention, wear your seatbelt, and drive safely.

HCSO Main Line – 410.838.6600
Northern Precinct – 410.692.7880
Southern Precinct – 410.612.1717
HCSO Traffic Unit – 443.409.3324
traffictiptuesday@harfordsheriff.org
@hcsotrafficsgt

Safety Around Trucks

August 29, 2023

Last week, while driving my family home from our much needed summer vacation, I noticed a common sight on our highways; large trucks. They can be dangerous if not driven safely. Here are some tips on how to drive safely around large trucks:

• Be aware of the truck’s blind spots. Large trucks have large blind spots, so it is important to be aware of them when driving around them. The truck’s blind spots are located:
  • Directly behind the truck
  • In front of the truck, on either side of the cab
  • In the areas directly behind the truck’s side mirrors
• Do not drive in the truck’s blind spots. If you can’t see the truck driver’s mirrors, they can’t see you. Avoid driving in these areas, especially when merging or changing lanes.
• Give the truck plenty of space. When passing a truck, leave at least three seconds of space between your car and the truck. This will give you enough time to react if the truck needs to brake suddenly.
• Avoid passing trucks on the right. Trucks often have to make wide turns, so it is dangerous to pass them on the right.
• Be patient. It may take longer for a truck to accelerate or brake than your car. Be patient and allow the truck to have enough space to maneuver.
• Be aware of the weather conditions. Trucks can be more difficult to control in bad weather conditions, such as rain or snow. Be extra cautious when driving around trucks in these conditions.

By following these tips, you can help to reduce the risk of an accident involving a large truck.

Here are some additional tips:

• Use your turn signals early and clearly when changing lanes or merging.
• Don’t tailgate the truck.
• Be aware of the truck’s exhaust. It can be dangerous to breathe in the fumes.
• If you see a truck that is weaving or driving erratically, get away from it as soon as possible.

By following these tips, you can help to keep yourself and others safe on the road.

Until next week, slow down, pay attention, wear your seatbelt, and drive safely.
HCSO Main Line – 410.838.6600
Northern Precinct – 410.692.7880
Southern Precinct – 410.612.1717
HCSO Traffic Unit – 443.409.3324
traffictiptuesday@harfordsheriff.org
@hcsotrafficsgt on Instagram

Safety around a Car Crash

August 15, 2023

Last week members of the Traffic Unit trained the recruits of Entrance Level Class 38 on how to respond to a motor vehicle crash. Patrol Deputies respond to dozens of motor vehicle crashes every day. In fact, in 2021 law enforcement officers in Harford County responded to 3,256 vehicle crashes. Once the recruits are out on the road it is important know exactly what to do when dispatched to a crash. “But Sergeant Eaton, I’m not a police recruit. Is there anything I can do if I witness a car crash?” I am glad you asked! Car accidents can be a traumatic experience, whether you’re involved or not.

If you see a car crash, it’s important to stay calm and follow these safety tips:

1. If the entire roadway is blocked, pull over to the side of the road and turn on your hazard lights. This will help to warn other drivers and keep you safe.
2. Call 911 immediately. Even if there are no injuries, it’s important to report the crash to the police.
3. Stay at the scene until the police arrive. This is important for your own safety and to help the police investigate the crash.
4. If there are injuries, check on the people involved and render aid if possible. If you’re not trained to give first aid, call 911 and wait for help to arrive.
5. If the crash is serious, or if anyone is injured, don’t move any vehicles or people unless it’s absolutely necessary. Moving vehicles or people can complicate the investigation and make it more difficult for the injured to receive medical care.
6. If you have a dash cam, turn it on and record the scene of the crash. This footage can be helpful to the police investigation.
7. If you witness the crash occur, be prepared to give a statement to the police. This includes providing your name, contact information, and your account of what happened.
8. If you’re injured in the crash, seek medical attention immediately. Even if you don’t feel injured, it’s important to get checked out by a doctor.

Following these tips will go a long way to help keep you and those around you safe during and after a crash. If you would like more detailed information on what to do, you can contact our recruitment office about a position in EL-39. Tell them Sergeant Eaton sent you!

Until next week, slow down, pay attention, wear your seatbelt, and drive safely.

HCSO Main Line – 410.838.6600
Northern Precinct – 410.692.7880
Southern Precinct – 410.612.1717
HCSO Traffic Unit – 443.409.3324
traffictiptuesday@harfordsheriff.org
@hcsotrafficsgt