New Alabama Law Allows School Bus Stop-Arm Cameras, Illegal Passing Fines

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A new state law will allow school systems to place stop-arm cameras on school buses, and penalizes motorists who illegally pass the buses with a fine of $300, ABC/3340 reports.

The Alabama School Bus Safety Act, which went into effect on July 1, gives school systems the option of installing stop-arm cameras on their school buses to enforce motorists stopping when the bus’ stop arm is extended. If a motorist illegally passes a stopped school bus and a stop-arm camera is installed on the bus, the motorist will receive a $300 ticket, according to the news source.

Eighty percent of the revenue from the fines would be split between the school board and the city or county in which it is located, and the remaining portion would be split between the Alabama State Department of Education and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, ABC33/40 reports.

Charles Webster, who is the mayor of the city of Clay and who also drives a special-needs school bus, told the news source that he supports installing the cameras, and that a motorist passes the stop arm on his bus “just about every day.”

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