Bus scameras citing illegally! It is time for civil and criminal penalties to be brought on the dirty bus scameras industry against the vendors especially!
Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz announced Friday she is offering some reprieve to drivers who have been hit with school bus camera tickets.
Read the full article at Yahoo!
Summary of Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Suspension of School Bus Camera Ticket Enforcement
Quick Overview
In response to widespread complaints regarding erroneous school bus camera tickets, Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz announced the suspension of enforcement for certain violations. This decision follows an investigation revealing that many drivers were unfairly ticketed for legal actions, prompting a reassessment of the school district’s bus safety program.
Key Points
- Suspension of Violations: Sheriff Cordero-Stutz has suspended enforcement of citations related to median violations, where drivers were ticketed while legally passing a stopped school bus.
- Investigation Findings: An investigation by the Miami Herald and Tributary uncovered that many violations were issued in error, contributing to a backlog of unresolved disputes in the court system.
- Revenue Generation: The school bus safety program, which utilizes cameras to catch violators, has generated approximately $19.5 million in its first six months, flagging over 407 violations daily.
- Legal Challenges: A class action lawsuit has been filed against BusPatrol, the company administering the program, on behalf of drivers claiming they were denied due process in contesting their tickets.
- Communication Gaps: There remains uncertainty regarding whether the suspension will apply retroactively to previously issued tickets, as both the sheriff’s office and school district have not clarified this matter.
Detailed Breakdown
Suspension of Enforcement
Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz announced on social media that enforcement of citations for median violations would be suspended. In her statement, she emphasized the need for clearer communication regarding the enforcement of the school bus safety program, indicating that further updates would follow.
Investigation Insights
The investigation by the Miami Herald and Tributary highlighted significant flaws in the ticketing process. It found that many drivers were wrongly ticketed for passing a stopped school bus when they were legally driving on the opposite side of a raised median. The tickets, which carry a hefty fine of $225, left many drivers feeling unjustly penalized.
Revenue and Impact
The school bus safety program, which began last year through a partnership involving the school district, the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, and BusPatrol, aimed to enhance student safety. However, it has also resulted in substantial revenue generation, with reports indicating that the program issued tens of thousands of violation notices in its initial months, amounting to $19.5 million in fines.
Legal and Administrative Challenges
The fallout from the erroneous ticketing has led to a class action lawsuit against BusPatrol, asserting that drivers were not provided with adequate due process when contesting their citations. This legal challenge reflects broader concerns about the fairness and transparency of the ticketing process.
Communication and Clarity
Despite the suspension of certain violations, questions remain regarding the retroactive application of this decision. The Miami Herald reached out to both the sheriff’s office and the school district for clarification, but responses have yet to be provided, leaving many drivers uncertain about their standing.
Notable Quotes & Data
- Sheriff Cordero-Stutz stated, “Urgent Update on Bus Camera. I have immediately suspended enforcement of all citations that relate to median violations.”
- The program flagged over 407 violations daily, generating $19.5 million in the first six months.
- As of December 19, 120,000 drivers had received violation notices, with over 1,000 attempts to contest those citations without success.
Context & Implications
The suspension of these violations highlights the critical need for oversight and accuracy in automated enforcement programs. The substantial revenue generated raises questions about the balance between public safety and profit, while the legal challenges signal a potential shift toward greater accountability for companies like BusPatrol. As the situation evolves, it underscores the importance of transparent communication between law enforcement, the school district, and the community to restore trust and ensure fair practices.