Montgomery County Police and the Montgomery County Department of Transportation will increase their patrols and outreach efforts focused on drivers who speed, run red lights and do not stop for pedestrians as the start of the new school year approaches on Aug. 26.
The two departments will focus their efforts at areas around schools.
“Far too often we see drivers who are not paying attention or are speeding when our kids are going to and from school,” said County Executive Marc Elrich in a news release. “As the new school year starts, we are cracking down on dangerous driving around schools.”
Elrich added, “Speeding, running red lights and not stopping for pedestrians or school buses put our kids at risk. We’re stepping up enforcement and using automated systems to catch and fine those who break the rules. I ask all drivers to be careful, follow traffic laws and look out for our children. Together, we can make our upcoming school year safer for everyone.”
The police Central Traffic Unit will patrol along school zones. The Automated Traffic Enforcement Unit will place speed cameras in and around schools. All school buses are equipped with cameras that record drivers illegally passing stopped school buses.
“Last school year, more than 48,000 drivers were captured by school bus cameras illegally passing a stopped school bus,” said Police Chief Marc Yamada. “We will have our officers and automated enforcement systems out in force to encourage drivers to obey the speed limit and watch out for our most vulnerable road users.”
Drivers in Maryland must stop at least 20 feet from a school bus when the stop arm is extended, and its red lights are flashing. Drivers may not pass a school bus from any direction until the stop signals are off and the bus is moving again. Motorists do not have to stop if the road is separated by a physical median such as dirt, grass or a barrier.
Infractions captured by school bus cameras carry a penalty of $250 for each violation. Violators who are stopped by a police officer face a fine of up to $570 and three points on their driver’s license.
MCDOT’s Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program works to encourage children to walk and bicycle to school safely through education, outreach and building safe infrastructure around schools. As part of this program, MCDOT outreach staff will attend back-to-school nights and a back-to-school fair Aug. 24 in Wheaton.
This summer, safe crossing infrastructure, such as crosswalks, median refuge islands and curb ramps, were added at Sally K. Ride, Judith Resnik, Pinecrest Elementary School, Herbert Hoover Middle School, Earl B. Wood Middle School and Francis S. Key Middle School.”
#MCPD #BacktoSchool Safety Tip #2: Never pass a bus that is loading or unloading children.
🟡Yellow flashing lights mean the bus is preparing to stop.
🛑Red flashing lights & extended stop arms mean the bus has stopped. That means you must stop at least 20-ft. away.#MCPNews pic.twitter.com/aQRAMt1UJ7
— Montgomery County Department of Police (@mcpnews) August 20, 2024
#BacktoSchool Safety Tip #3: Walkers should be accompanied w/ a sibling, neighbor, or a group.
There is power in numbers! Avoid walking to school alone.
Parents & guardians, make plans for younger children to walk w/ a trusted person or group.#MCPNews #MCPD pic.twitter.com/6OIsSvPXhp
— Montgomery County Department of Police (@mcpnews) August 21, 2024
