WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Polk County law‑enforcement officials began the new school year by activating the county’s stop‑arm camera program on every school bus. All 515 buses now carry automated cameras that record motorists who illegally pass a stopped bus with its stop arm extended.
First‑day enforcement results
During the opening day of classes, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office issued 94 citations to drivers who violated the law. Each citation carries a $225 fine, with $200 directed to the local school district and $25 to the Florida Department of Health’s Emergency Medical Services Trust Fund.
How the program works
Deputies review each camera capture before filing a ticket. Sheriff Grady Judd explained that if a driver is caught mid‑pass as the stop arm is lowering, the incident is considered a “close call” and no citation is written. Only clear violations result in a ticket.
“I realize people are in a hurry, or may be distracted by phones, but that is no excuse for endangering our children,” Judd said.
Impact and compliance
Data from technology firm Verra Mobility shows that 98% of drivers who receive a stop‑arm violation do not repeat the behavior. The same data indicates a 12% drop in total violations from the start to the end of the school year, though overall numbers remain high.
Sheriff Judd urged motorists to respect the safety of children, stating, “I don’t want us to write even one ticket. Please understand that the most important cargo we move on the roads is our children.”
Unanswered questions
Officials have not released the total amount of fine revenue collected since the program’s inception, nor have they confirmed whether additional buses or routes will receive expanded enforcement in future school terms.
The stop‑arm camera initiative reflects Polk County’s broader effort to protect students and hold drivers accountable for reckless behavior on school routes.
Original reporting: Tampa Bay Florida News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
