Florida school buses can bust you for not stopping. What to know about the new law

School districts can now install cameras on school buses to bust drivers who fail to stop for a school bus displaying a stop signal.

The law is one of many that went into effect on July 1.

Here’s what to know about the law:

What does the law do?

The law grants school districts permission to install an “infraction detection system,” but it doesn’t require it.

The “systems” are cameras that would go on the side of school buses to record and photograph cars that drive past the bus when its stop signs are out as kids get off or on the bus. It would also record the license plate.

Districts that decide to add this to their buses need to do a 30-day public awareness campaign before they can enforce the use of the technology.

Is it coming to Miami-Dade and Broward?

Neither Miami-Dade or Broward are installing the systems for the upcoming school year.

Miami-Dade is waiting for to learn more about funding and vendor options. Broward is waiting for guidelines from the Florida Department of Education for implementation.

What are the penalties?

If a driver is caught zooming past a bus with its stop signs out, the violation could result in a $225 fine. Of that, $200 goes toward the school district in which the violation happened and the other $25 is distributed to the Department of Health’s Emergency Medical Services Trust Fund to support trauma centers.

What to do when driving around school buses in Florida

Here are some reminders about bus laws in Florida:

• Two lanes: Drivers on either side of a two-way street must stop when a bus displays its stop signs and must remain stopped until the road is clear of children and the bus withdraws the signs.
• Multi-lane: Drivers on either side of a multi-lane street must stop when a bus displays its stop signs and must remain stopped until the road is clear of children and the bus withdraws the signs.
• Divided: On a street with a raised barrier or an unpaved median at least five feet wide, drivers moving in the opposite direction do not have to stop the bus but they should slow down to be cautious of students coming off or on the bus. Painted lines or pavement markings are not considered barriers.

This story was originally published July 7, 2023 at 5:00 AM.

Natalie La Roche Pietri

Miami Herald

Natalie is an intern reporter at the Miami Herald on the Real Time desk. She has reported from Washington, D.C., as an NBCU Academy Diversity, Equity and Inclusion fellow on national issues that affect the South Florida community. She’s a senior at Florida International University double majoring in digital communications and English.