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Grace period ends Thursday for Hillsborough, Manatee County school safety driving violations

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Published  September 11, 2024 6:55am EDT
Hillsborough County
FOX 13 News

School bus camera grace period ends

Starting Thursday, it will cost Hillsborough County drivers if they’re caught on camera illegally passing a stopped school bus.

TAMPA, Fla. - Starting this week, drivers who break safety laws in Hillsborough and Manatee County school zones could face hefty fines. 

Thousands of drivers in both counties have received warnings during a one-month grace period since the start of the school year, whether that be illegally passing a school bus or speeding in a school zone.

The Hillsborough County School District says it's alarmed by the more than 10,000 warnings sent to drivers for illegally passing stopped school buses. Those drivers were captured by cameras affixed to the buses that snap pictures of drivers who pass school buses with the stop arms up.

READ: Hillsborough schools introduces new cameras to catch drivers illegally passing stopped buses

"Which is just amazing and eye-opening to how big that problem was and how there's a safety issue we need to address in Hillsborough County," said Hillsborough Deputy Superintendent Chris Farkas.

Beginning Thursday, drivers recorded illegally passing a stopped school bus will face $225 fines.

"I've seen cars passing daily when we're stopped at a bus stop," said Ashley Ely, a 16-year school bus driver in Hillsborough County. "It's basic road rules: stop means stop and, at the end of the day, the safety of our students is our number-one priority."

READ: Over 2,300 drivers illegally passed Hillsborough County buses in 1st week of school: HCSO

In Manatee County, leaders green-lighted new school zone speed cameras that became operational at the beginning of the school year.

According to the Manatee County Public Safety Department, 19 cameras spread across the county are clocking drivers going 10 miles per hour over the posted speed limit in school zones.

A 30-day grace period came with the new enforcement, and thousands of drivers received warnings for violations.

READ: Thousands of school zone speed warnings issued since cameras launched in Manatee County

But starting on Thursday, drivers who speed through these school zones and are caught on camera will receive a $100 fine.

The cameras will be clocking drivers during all school hours, as well, not just when the school zone lights are flashing.

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