Cameras on Bellevue school buses caught 107 drivers ignoring stop paddles in first month

BELLEVUE, Wash. — New cameras on school buses in Bellevue caught an average of five drivers each day ignoring stop paddles.

The Bellevue School District said the cameras led to 107 tickets in the first month.

The cameras are on 20 percent of the buses in Bellevue, and began actively capturing violators after winter break, following a warning period.

The district installed the cameras after bus drivers raised concerns.

"Bus drivers were observing a lot of people flying by when the bus paddles were out and kids were getting off the bus," said Michael May, of the Bellevue School District.

A private company runs the cameras and sends videos and license plate photos to the King County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies review each video to decide if there was actually a violation.

The fine is $419.

"If we're issuing that many citations, then, most likely, people aren't paying attention or, for some reason, don't know the laws when it comes to a school bus," said Sgt. Ryan Abbott, of the Sheriff's Office.

The district has put posted images in an FAQ section on its website reminding drivers they must always stop for a school bus going in the same direction and that, on a two-lane road, all traffic needs to stop.

If there are three or more lanes, or if it's a divided road, traffic going the opposite direction does not need to stop.

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