A new program targeting drivers who illegally pass Miami-Dade Public School buses is set to impose hefty fines while equipping over 1,000 buses with state-of-the-art cameras to catch violators.
In a collaborative effort to bolster student safety and combat reckless driving, Miami-Dade County Police and Miami-Dade County Public Schools have joined forces.
The initiative introduces a minimum $200 fine for drivers who fail to stop for school buses, with penalties enforced via mailed citations starting Wednesday.
Cutting-edge surveillance technology
Partnering with private company Bus Patrol, the county will outfit its entire fleet of school buses with advanced cameras and AI technology.
This system, claimed to be 30 per cent more accurate than humans in detecting violations, utilizes up to eight exterior cameras per bus to monitor traffic across as many as eight lanes.
The AI triggers the cameras as soon as a bus begins to stop, capturing license plates and video evidence of offending vehicles.
The footage is then reviewed by Miami-Dade Police, who issue the fines.
If unpaid for more than 30 days, offenders risk license suspension and potential bench warrants.
Addressing a persistent issue
A pilot run of the program last month revealed the extent of the problem, with over 10,000 warnings issued to drivers who unlawfully passed school buses.
The new enforcement aims to reduce these violations and safeguard students during their daily commutes.
In addition to exterior cameras, buses will also be equipped with interior surveillance to protect students and drivers from incidents occurring inside the bus.
Funding and implementation
Bus Patrol signed a five-year contract with the county, with each camera unit costing approximately $10,000. With over 1,000 buses in the fleet, the project’s total cost exceeds $10 million.
However, all funds from fines collected will be funneled back to the county to cover the program’s expenses.
