Bus cameras catch 1,000 violators in a month

A.I.S.D police issued 1,000 warnings to for passing a stopped school bus in just a one month period.

On Jan. 8, 30 school buses with cameras hit the roads to pick up the kids for school. A month later, the school district had 100 of their buses equipped with the violator catchers. Those people received warning letters in the mail. Since the grace period expired Feb. 8, cameras caught even more. Police are reviewing the videos to see if they know without a doubt the driver was in the wrong.

“If we're approving it as a violation then the violator, the owner of the vehicle, will receive a citation in the mail,” Chief Eric Mendez, AISD Police Department, said.

And along with that citation comes the hefty fine of $300.

“This is about student safety. We've got about 22,000 students at AISD who ride the buses every day. So we need to ensure 22,000 students make it to school safety and get home safely,” Mendez said.

When driving on a street that has a physical median of some sort made out of grass or concrete, the other side of the street does not have to stop, but if you're behind the bus, you do. And of course, you need to stop, if there is no median at all. Mendez believes drivers know the law, but are too busy to follow it.

“Learning about passing school buses is something you’re taught early on in life back in driver's ed when you're getting a license. I don’t think it's ignorance or negligence, I think part of it is just, they don’t pay attention

When all 300 of the district's buses get these cameras, police don't want 3,000 tickets to go along with it.  If an officer pulls you over, the fine could be even higher.