JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — More than 12,000 Duval County drivers have been cited for passing stopped school buses since the district began enforcing its school bus camera program in May.
Duval County Public Schools announced its partnership with BusPatrol in April. The tech company outfit buses with AI powered cameras designed to capture drivers who pass stopped school buses.
According to DCPS, School Police have approved 12,601 citations since May 1. Each citation carries a $225 fine. Half of that money goes to BusPatrol, the company responsible for the technology, while the other half goes back to the school district.
So far, the district has collected about $363,308 from the citations.
DCPS says that money is being used to continue investments in transportation safety, including maintenance, safety initiatives and driver recruitment.
The cameras have also captured several near misses involving children.
In one video posted by the school district, a car can be seen driving around a stopped school bus before coming to a halt. Moments later, three children dart across the street.
Spencer White said incidents like that show why drivers need to be held accountable when they pass a stopped school bus.
“I think that they deserve more than a $225 ticket. That’s unacceptable,” White said. “Three kids walking across the street and you try to pass while the school bus stop sign is out?”
The district has identified Blanding Boulevard as one of the areas with the most citations. District leaders have also identified Merrill Road and West Beaver Street as hotspots for school bus violations.
The cameras will continue to monitor drivers as the district works to encourage motorists to stop when a school bus is loading or unloading children.
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