Thousands of cars were caught on camera falling to stop for school buses in Bridgeport last school year.
“I don’t think we can afford to lose our precious young people due to folks violating the rules of the road,” said Sen. Herron Keyon Gaston (D-Bridgeport).
Sen. Gaston pushed for the legislation that now allows cities and towns to fine violators up to $250 for illegally passing stopped school buses. Municipalities can also issue fines when drivers are captured on school bus cameras breaking the rule. The proceeds go back to the towns and cities to increase education measures and public safety.
“That means hiring additional police officers to be in the area to patrol the area, or whether or not there may be other safety measures, like maybe putting speed bumps,” Gaston added.
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Melissa Paul-Perez, a mother of two from West Hartford, hopes the fines will be a deterrent and actually get drivers to respect the roadways.
“It’s really upsetting to think as a parent to think about your kids being on the bus, getting off the bus and being in danger of cars, people who are not paying attention,” Paul-Perez of said.
Steven Maritzer worries for the safety of his kids and other pedestrians on the road.
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“That's a law. You stop at a stop sign. You stop at the bus. Even if you don’t have kids, you want to be safe for everyone on the road, so you want to pay attention,” Maritzer said.
AAA of Greater Hartford is encouraging drivers to be extra cautious as buses and parents hit the road to get kids to school. Some tips include slowing down, coming to a full stop, eliminating distractions, and obeying traffic signals.
“When you are driving, especially in a residential neighborhood, put your phone down, scan the roadway,” AAA of Greater Hartford spokesperson Tracy Noble said. “Unfortunately, annually across the country we do see tragedies because of cars passing school buses.”
