School Bus Safety
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