AISD bus cameras are up and running

This morning more police were out on the road watching for drivers ignoring those flashing stop signs on school buses.

AISD buses now are equipped with special cameras that catch drivers in the act.

The grace period is over, starting today, you will get a ticket if you're caught running these stop signs.

The warning period started January 8th. In the 17 school days of enforcement, the cameras have recorded 306 violations. That’s an average of 18 violations a day. Currently 75 buses have cameras. Eventually as many as 300 will have cameras rolling.

The rule of the road is pretty clear cut. You cannot pass a stopped bus on a 2 lane road or a road with a center turn lane. But on a divided highway, with a barrier or grass median, vehicles traveling in the opposite direction can pass; but caution is urged.

"As we start to gather data from these stop arm cameras, we start to determine what our hot spots are, we'll start putting officers out there to watch those bus stops  and areas where we get constant violations,” said AISD Police Chief Eric Mendez.

The fine is more expensive if you are caught by a police officer. It’s $500.