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The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office announced the suspension of fines issued through the school bus camera program when violations are related to lane separators. This decision comes in response to numerous complaints from drivers who claimed they received unfair penalties.
The school bus safety program in the county is a collaboration between the school district, the Sheriff's Office, and the private company BusPatrol. The latter installed cameras on all public school buses last year to catch drivers who fail to stop when the "stop" sign is extended. However, private school buses do not have this system.
According to local media such as América TeVé, thousands of drivers have received fines of $225 under this program, even when they were following the regulations. Specifically, some were penalized despite being on the other side of a central divider, which is legal according to Florida traffic laws.
In response to the growing controversy, the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office announced the suspension of all fines related to lane separators. Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz posted on her X account that "I have immediately suspended the enforcement of all fines related to violations of lane separators. Stay tuned for future updates."
In a second update, it was indicated that drivers who wish to contest a citation can do so at alertbus.com, where the violation will be "put on hold" until the hearing.
He also clarified that the fines already paid were not collected by the Sheriff's Office, but directly by BusPatrol, so they have no legal control over those payments. The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office reiterated this information in another message on X.
Many drivers believe that the program has been implemented unfairly. Jorge Moya, who received a fine in October, stated in comments quoted by local media that his lawyer advised him to pay it because "he wasn't going to win." However, Moya noticed that the violation on his ticket did not match the video from the bus camera.
The attorney Mark Gold from The Ticket Clinic criticized the program, comparing it to the red light cameras that were challenged in the Florida Supreme Court. "This is not about safety, but about generating revenue," he stated in remarks reported by Local 10 News.
For its part, BusPatrol defended its technology, stating that its mission is to enhance safety at school bus stops.
The use of cameras on school buses was approved by the Florida Senate in 2024 and adopted in Miami-Dade shortly thereafter. The law stipulates that drivers must stop when a school bus has its "stop" sign extended, unless they are on the other side of a divided roadway with a raised median or a physical barrier of at least five feet.
Since the program's implementation in the spring of 2024, BusPatrol has reported an average of 6,000 violations per week in the county, according to data shared by Local 10 News.
The partial suspension of fines has been well received by drivers, but doubts about the fairness of the program's implementation persist. Meanwhile, the Sheriff's Office will continue to review the system and the complaints from those affected.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Suspension of Fines for Cameras on School Buses in Miami-Dade
Why were the fines for cameras on school buses in Miami-Dade suspended?
The fines were suspended due to complaints from drivers who claimed to have been unfairly penalized, particularly in cases where the violation involved lane separators, which are legal according to Florida traffic laws.
Which entity made the decision to suspend fines in Miami-Dade?
The decision was announced by the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, led by Rosie Cordero-Stutz, in response to complaints about the unfair enforcement of fines captured by security cameras on school buses.
What types of violations are still being fined through the camera system on school buses?
Violations that do not involve lane separators will continue to be fined through the camera system installed in school buses. This includes drivers who do not stop when the bus's "stop" sign is extended, as long as there is no raised median or physical separation of at least five feet.
How can drivers appeal the fines received from the school bus camera program?
Drivers can appeal tickets by sending an email to SSCP@MDSO.com, according to Telemundo 51. It is important for drivers to present evidence that supports their case in order to have a better chance of success in the appeal.
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