"Flashing yellow lights will be activated at least 100 feet before a school bus stop in a speed zone of 35mph or less, and at least 300 feet before it stops in a speed zone of more that 35 mph. The flashing yellow lights (at the top of the bus) warn the motorists that the school bus is about to stop to either load or unload children. It is against the law to pass on the right side of the school bus while it is displaying flashing red or yellow lights." Currently, they turn on the flashing yellow lights 10 feet before a school bus stop!
The bus cameras do not measure distance and therefore can not determine if the warning lights have gone on according to MD law. That is a huge flaw in this program. Citations aren't being paid, millions of dollars in supposed fine revenue is missing, citations that are appealed go to court but no one is documenting what happens in court, and nothing about this program is actually keeping children safer. There is no money for safety campaigns or improvements to the bus stop sign arms or anything else. Montgomery County pays for multiple staff to run this program, yet gets ZERO revenue from the paid citations.
Safety first, of course. But what evidence is there that violations are usually intentional and that the frequency of violations is affected by these higher fines?
No evidence of anything. No oversight of this contract. In fact, no valid contract. No Board of Education vote on this contract - ever. No RFP. No Bids. Company was brought in without bids on basis of former Chief Manger's recommendation. Massive scandal in Dallas, Texas connected to this company. Company is, by the way, on their 4th or 5th name change. Same people keep renaming the company.
"https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/schools/police-issued-more-than-54000-school-bus-citations-to-motorists-in-2018-19/" Golden parachutes for the guardians of Gotham?
"Flashing yellow lights will be activated at least 100 feet before a school bus stop in a
ReplyDeletespeed zone of 35mph or less, and at least 300 feet before it stops in a speed zone of more
that 35 mph. The flashing yellow lights (at the top of the bus) warn the motorists that the
school bus is about to stop to either load or unload children. It is against the law to pass
on the right side of the school bus while it is displaying flashing red or yellow lights."
Currently, they turn on the flashing yellow lights 10 feet before a school bus stop!
The bus cameras do not measure distance and therefore can not determine if the warning lights have gone on according to MD law. That is a huge flaw in this program. Citations aren't being paid, millions of dollars in supposed fine revenue is missing, citations that are appealed go to court but no one is documenting what happens in court, and nothing about this program is actually keeping children safer. There is no money for safety campaigns or improvements to the bus stop sign arms or anything else. Montgomery County pays for multiple staff to run this program, yet gets ZERO revenue from the paid citations.
DeleteSafety first, of course. But what evidence is there that violations are usually intentional and that the frequency of violations is affected by these higher fines?
ReplyDeleteNo evidence of anything. No oversight of this contract. In fact, no valid contract. No Board of Education vote on this contract - ever. No RFP. No Bids. Company was brought in without bids on basis of former Chief Manger's recommendation. Massive scandal in Dallas, Texas connected to this company. Company is, by the way, on their 4th or 5th name change. Same people keep renaming the company.
Delete"https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/schools/police-issued-more-than-54000-school-bus-citations-to-motorists-in-2018-19/"
ReplyDeleteGolden parachutes for the guardians of Gotham?