Police Send 11K Warnings To Drivers Illegally Passing School Buses

Miami-Dade, FL - Miami-Dade police have announced the department has issued more than 11,500 school bus passing violations since beginning of the 2024 school year.

NBC Miami reports that Miami-Dade police recently shared a video showcasing several instances of drivers disregarding school bus stop arms and flashing lights, putting children's lives at risk by failing to stop for students crossing the road.

To combat the dangerous behavior, all 1,000 county school buses have been equipped with advanced AI technology known as "AVA."

The AVA system allows police to automatically issue $225 citations to drivers who illegally pass school buses.

Since the start of the school year, the number of school bus violations has skyrocketed, with an average of 1,600 violations reported per school day.

According to Florida law, drivers on two-way streets must come to a complete stop when a school bus stop arm is extended.

This law applies to traffic traveling in both directions, with the exception of situations where a raised barrier separates the road.

Miami-Dade police aim to deter dangerous driving practices by enforcing these regulations, ensuring the safety of children as they travel to and from school.