Stop-arm camera program cites nearly 300 in 3 months

ROCKVILLE, Md. — A stop-arm camera program in Montgomery County issued 272 citations to motorists illegally passing school buses during the first three months of operation.

The program, which currently has cameras on 25 Montgomery County Public Schools buses, launched in early January. The Montgomery County Police Department's Automated Traffic Enforcement Unit reviews violations, and citations are mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle.

Montgomery County Council members heard an update on the program during a committee meeting on Monday. Program officials said that an additional 75 buses will be wired for stop-arm cameras, which will allow police to move cameras to buses on routes with frequent violations.

Of the 272 citations that were issued during the first three months of the program, 128 have been paid. For motorists who receive a citation from the automated school bus camera system, the fine is $125, and there are no points associated with it. The penalty is significantly steeper for stop-arm runners who are caught by a police officer: a $570 fine and three points.

According to The Gazette, Montgomery County Council members said during the Monday meeting that the $125 citations are too low, and they want the fine to be raised to $250.