Oklahoma governor signs bill allowing use of school bus cameras to ticket reckless drivers

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma — Governor Kevin Stitt has signed a bill allowing law enforcement to use cameras on buses to track down drivers who illegally pass stopped buses.

HB1926 requires a minimum ticket of $100 to drivers who break this law, and 75 percent of tickets for this violation will be deposited into the Cameras for School Bus Stops Revolving Fund. This is a grant which schools without proper video surveillance can apply to purchase the necessary equipment.

“House Bill 1926 gives our law enforcement officers the teeth they need to go after drivers who endanger our state’s children,” Rep. Dell Kerbs said.

According to Kerbs, law enforcement can only give these drivers a warning if the officer didn't see it themselves.

Nearly 84,000 drivers ignore a bus' stop arm every day, according to the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services.

“Sadly, this is a common and dangerous occurrence. People are in a hurry and don’t think about the fact that a kid could run out in front of them,” said Sen. Ron Sharp, R-Shawnee. “There’s a reason it’s illegal to overtake a stopped school bus, but the problem is there’s usually not a cop around to catch offenders. By allowing districts to put cameras on buses, drivers breaking the law can be caught on tape and held accountable by law enforcement.”

The bill takes effect Nov. 1.