Cameras catch drivers speeding past stopped school buses, endangering children
SPANAWAY, Wash. -- The Bethel School District put cameras on some of their school buses a few months ago. They say every day, they've been catching drivers speeding past stopped buses and putting kids in jeopardy.
Mark Ripka was appalled when he saw the video of a driver almost hitting three kids as they got on a school bus in Graham.
“Somebody has the gumption to do something like that knowingly,” the father of four says. “There’s really no excuse for that at all, period.”
Unfortunately, the Bethel School District says the close call was not an isolated case. In February, they put video cameras on five of their school buses.
“We’ve been hearing for a number of years from our drivers that it's really not safe out here, they see violations all the time,” says director of communications Krista Carlson.
In just 55 days, those cameras recorded 139 cases of drivers speeding past buses that were stopped with their lights flashing. If there were cameras on all their buses, they say there could be as many as 80 violations each day.
“It’s incredible how many people just don't have any regard for the safety of the children,” says Frank Acosta, another father who lives in the area.
District officials know drivers might be confused about the rules of the road, so they’ve put information online to let drivers know what to do if they see a bus on a two-lane or four-lane road.
“It’s really frustrating for us and for our drivers,” says Carlson. “We’ve done what we can to promote this program, remind people it's a $394 ticket, that you really need to stop when the red lights flash.”
She’s hoping drivers will start to get the message, so there isn’t another close call involving children.
“I’m really sensitive to when buses are around,” says Acosta. “I try to keep distance and to just wait.”
“Do not go fast in school zone, and watch the kids like they're yours," advises Ripka. "Think about that kid you see as your kid and be careful.”
The company that provided the cameras to Bethel School District says they’re seeing more violations in Pierce County than in other parts of the state and country. That’s part of the reason the district has requested five more cameras, so they can equip even more of their buses.
For more information on what to do when you see a school bus, click here.