Sherman ISD is installing forward-facing cameras on all of its school buses to help identify drivers who pass stopped buses in violation of traffic laws. The district aims to address a persistent safety issue that local law enforcement describes as ongoing.
According to the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services, drivers across the United States illegally pass school buses nearly 40 million times annually. Captain Jeremy Cox of the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office noted that motorists often attempt to save time by driving around buses with flashing lights and extended stop arms, thereby endangering children.
Larry Bell, a bus driver with Sherman ISD for nearly 10 years, stated that encountering such violations is common, occurring at least once or twice a week. Bell described an incident where two drivers passed his bus while it was stopped.
To mitigate risks, Bell said he sometimes drives extra loops to ensure students board and exit on the curb side, avoiding the need to cross the street.
The new cameras are designed to capture a wider field of view than single-view systems, allowing for better identification of offending vehicles. Cox explained that drivers caught violating these laws face fines ranging from $500 to $1,200 or more. Repeat offenses may be charged as a Class A misdemeanor.
