Notice to Motorists: Be careful!
Richmond
Public School students will be heading back to class on Tuesday, September 5th
for the start of a new school year. They will be congregating at bus stops and
walking on sidewalks and in crosswalks.
The
Richmond Police Department is asking motorists to stay alert and drive safely
at all times, especially in school zones.
This
year, for the first time, RPS school buses will be equipped with automated
cameras that will record drivers who illegally pass stopped busses.
“The Richmond Police Department is happy to assist the school with this program to help catch violators, and most of all keep our children safe while they are headed to and from school,” said Chief Alfred Durham.
“We
appreciate the continued support from the Richmond Police Department as they
work to identify violators that compromise the safety of our students by
illegally passing our school buses," said Interim Superintendent Tommy
Kranz.
Drivers
who are caught on camera passing a stopped school bus with its lights flashing
and the cross-arm out will receive a $250 Notice of Violation in the mail.
If they choose to contest the violation in court and are found guilty, they will also be subject to court costs and will receive four points on their driver’s license in addition to the $250 fine.
A
Notice of Violation will not be sent until the photographs of the incident are
reviewed and approved by an RPD officer.
The Department receives no funds from the fines levied by this program, which is being administered by the Richmond Public School System.
