Md. could up penalties for driver who disregard bus stop signs
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — It’s already Maryland law: drivers must stop when a school bus comes to a halt, extends a stop arm, and turns on red flashing lights to let students on or off the bus.
But Maryland lawmakers and police, frustrated with the number of drivers who continue to violate that law, are calling for an increase in civil penalties.
Del. Al Carr, testifying before the House Committee on the Environment and Transportation, introduced House Bill 186, which would hit drivers with a $250 fine for passing a stopped school bus for the second time.
REALLY, 250 DOLLARS FINE FOR THE SECOND OFFENSE IN THE SAME COUNTY WITHIN 60 DAYS OF 1ST OFFENSE. THESE LAWMAKERS ARE WASTING TIME WITH CRAP LIKE THAT. I HAD ONE RUN MY LIGHTS THE OTHER DAY WHILE KIDS WHERE GOING DOWN STAIRWAY, THAT'S AFTER THEY WERE ALREADY STOPPED BEHIND ME. NO NEED TO DO ANYTHING BECAUSE WAS TOLD EVEN AFTER HAVING TAG NUMBER, I HAD TO BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY DRIVER. MOST TIMES YOU CAN'T GET THE TAG NUMBER MUCH LESS IDENTIFYING THE DRIVER. I JUST TRY AND WATCH THE STUDENTS BEST I CAN AND PRAY THEY MAKE IT ACROSS SAFELY.
Make it a 1000 dollar fine for first offense and widly publicize it. As for catching the tag number, I have seen OCPD on coastal highway consistently monitoring school busses - they are usually on front of the bus, and in that way when a driver passes a stopped bus (the drivers usually don't see the police car in front of the bus) they are caught red handed. I have seen multiple stops on costal highway for this, and think it is a very good idea
I have a daughter who was hit by a car as she was crossing the street to get on the bus. It was awful. She spent 3 weeks in a coma. People who are in such a hurry need to leave earlier. Stop putting kids lives in danger.
Most of the time it's the bus driver improperly initiating warning signals.
ReplyDeleteREALLY, 250 DOLLARS FINE FOR THE SECOND OFFENSE IN THE SAME COUNTY WITHIN 60 DAYS OF 1ST OFFENSE. THESE LAWMAKERS ARE WASTING TIME WITH CRAP LIKE THAT. I HAD ONE RUN MY LIGHTS THE OTHER DAY WHILE KIDS WHERE GOING DOWN STAIRWAY, THAT'S AFTER THEY WERE ALREADY STOPPED BEHIND ME. NO NEED TO DO ANYTHING BECAUSE WAS TOLD EVEN AFTER HAVING TAG NUMBER, I HAD TO BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY DRIVER. MOST TIMES YOU CAN'T GET THE TAG NUMBER MUCH LESS IDENTIFYING THE DRIVER. I JUST TRY AND WATCH THE STUDENTS BEST I CAN AND PRAY THEY MAKE IT ACROSS SAFELY.
ReplyDeleteConsistency would be nice.
ReplyDeleteMake it a 1000 dollar fine for first offense and widly publicize it. As for catching the tag number, I have seen OCPD on coastal highway consistently monitoring school busses - they are usually on front of the bus, and in that way when a driver passes a stopped bus (the drivers usually don't see the police car in front of the bus) they are caught red handed. I have seen multiple stops on costal highway for this, and think it is a very good idea
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ReplyDeleteIf you're approaching or following a schoolbus, you should always assume it's going to stop to let kids off.
Obey the law (whatever it is or will be) or pay the fine. Come on, its our children on the bus.
ReplyDeleteA thousand dollar fine would be more effective.
ReplyDelete3:35 What if the bus is on the way to the school and has no kids on it? Still assume?
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! Do you not have an extra 20 seconds to make it to where you need to be?!
DeleteYou ever see the bus dropping kids of at the ghetto apts on parsons rd? It's a 10 minute ordeal.
ReplyDeleteI have a daughter who was hit by a car as she was crossing the street to get on the bus. It was awful. She spent 3 weeks in a coma. People who are in such a hurry need to leave earlier. Stop putting kids lives in danger.
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