Now that Montgomery County Public Schools are back in session, residents are reminded of the County’s School Bus Camera Enforcement Program.
Maryland law requires that when approaching a stopped school bus with activated Stop sign and flashing red lights traffic from both directions must stop and remain stopped until the Stop sign and lights are deactivated.
This includes driving on a two-lane roadway, a two-lane roadway with a center turning lane and a four-lane roadway without a median separation. The only exception is for a divided highway of four lanes or more with a median separation. The lanes of traffic separated by the median and going in the opposite direction from the bus do not have to stop. Traffic going in the same direction of the bus must stop.
To help enforce the law, last January the County began implementing an automated school bus camera enforcement program that allows the cameras to be moved throughout the County as needed. Violations are reviewed by the Police Department’s Automated Traffic Enforcement Unit, and citations are mailed to the registered owner.
The fine from the automated enforcement is $125 and no points. If a driver is stopped by a police officer for passing a stopped school bus with flashing lights, the fine is $570 and three points.
County Police also remind drivers of the importance of obeying the posted speed limit and paying close attention to their surroundings at all times.
