More MD Drivers Illegally Pass Stopped School Buses

BALTIMORE, MD — More Maryland drivers broke the law by passing stopped school buses last year, according to a newly released state survey. The Maryland State Department of Education’s latest survey of driver behavior released on Monday showed more drivers are ignoring bus stop arms. The biggest number of violations were recorded in Baltimore and Montgomery counties.

Stop arms swing out from a bus and lights flash whenever a school bus stop on a road to pick up a student. A total of 3,812 violations of school bus stop arms were recorded on one day in April compared to 3,384 observed violations in 2017.

The survey was done in all 24 Maryland school systems. It is considered a snapshot of illegal activity on the roads, the department said in a news release. Montgomery County tallied the most violations — 1,038, followed by 677 witnessed by Baltimore County school bus drivers. The previous year Baltimore County topped the survey, followed by Montgomery.

SEE ALSO: What To Know About Passing A Stopped School Bus In Maryland

Last year’s uptick is still a significant decrease from 2016, when the number stood at 4,334, and well below the 7,011 recorded when the survey began in 2011, the department of education said.

Maryland State Police say drivers should be on alert for school buses and not ignore the red flashing lights when a bus is stopped. Those caught breaking the law by police can cost a driver a $570 fine and a three-point penalty on their driver's license.

Montgomery County schools have been putting camera on school buses with a goal to have cameras on every bus by 2019, which can punish drivers by mailing them a $250 ticket, WTOP reports. Cameras are also used on some buses in Prince George’s and Frederick counties.

“Each Maryland driver must do their part to maintain safe driving practices, and remember that the lives of our students are at stake,” said Dr. Karen Salmon, state Superintendent of Schools, in a statement. “It is illegal to pass a bus with its stop arm extended and its lights flashing. Our newest survey results show there remains much room for improvement. One violation of the stop arm is one too many.”

Gov. Larry Hogan issued a proclamation declaring School Bus Safety Week from Oct. 22-26. The new survey results were released at the start of the week.

“School safety begins with making sure our students have a safe bus trip to and from school,” Hogan said in a news release. “This week is a reminder for parents, students, drivers, and others to promote the importance of school bus safety across our state by following simple tips to ensure our children arrive at school unharmed and ready to learn.”

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