The Falls Church City Council unanimously passed a motion to install exterior cameras on school busses to catch who driver speed around the buses during stops.
A school spokesperson said that the cameras could be installed by the end of the school year.
โIt was a unanimous vote,โ said Councilmember David Tarter. โI think thereโs a strong support for it here in the community."
A Falls Church schoolbus driver told News4's Tony Tull that she's witnessed careless driving that could pose a danger to children exiting the bus. โPeople are oblivious. They donโt pay attention to their surroundings. Theyโre preoccupied with their day, their phones. Itโs just jaw-dropping," she said.
The cameras will be mounted on the buses to catch drivers who ignore the buses' flashing lights and stop signs.
โWhen you approach a stop 100 feet prior to the stop, you activate your yellows,โ the bus driver told Tull. โWhen you open your doors, your red lights activate, the stop arm comes out, and the stop sign deploys from the side of the bus.โ
Offenders caught disregarding the signal lights or driving around the stop arm could be faced with fines up to $250. Although the ticket does not carry any points, a police officer will review the videos and tickets before they go out to assess the proper penalties.