KAUFMAN, Texas — The school bus stop arm camera program went live this morning, March 2, 2015, in Kaufman County and drivers who disregard a school bus stop arm could face a $350 fine.
KAUFMAN, Texas — The school bus stop arm camera program went live this morning, March 2, 2015, in Kaufman County and drivers who disregard a school bus stop arm could face a $350 fine.
The program includes the installation of school bus stop arm cameras on at least 10 buses county-wide which capture video of vehicles illegally passing stopped school buses with their stop arms deployed, according to Kaufman County Sheriff David Byrnes who says violators could face a $350 fine beginning today.
“This program complements our new school zone speed safety camera with a new level of protection for our children. Students are most vulnerable when they are getting on and off their school buses, but these cameras will help my sheriff’s office reduce the threat,” said Byrnes. “We will simultaneously educate drivers and enforce the law, making travel to and from school in Kaufman County safer.”
In addition to the school bus stop arm cameras, the Kaufman County School Zone Safety Camera Program also implemented school zone speed cameras which issue fines through the sheriff’s office for anyone traveling in excess of six miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit during school zone times. That program went live in 2014.
County-wide, the enforcement zone near Kemp Elementary saw the most violations and the Scurry-Rosser Elementary zone captured one driver traveling 80 miles per hour in a 45 mile-per-hour school zone.
“Our priority is to protect children on their way to and from school. This enforcement tool will help us accomplish our mission by changing driver behavior and reducing the number of vehicles illegally passing stopped school buses. At the end of the day, our children will be better protected,” said Byrnes.
Kaufman County and American Traffic Solutions (ATS), the company contracted to provide the camera equipment through the county, have released a Public Service Announcement video (see below) which explains how the cameras operate and provides more information on the Kaufman County School Zone Safety Camera Program.