QUEEN ANNE'S COUNTY, Md. — Watching your child get off the bus can be the most satisfying part of your day as a parent, it can also be the most horrifying thing as well.
Queen Anne's County has a problem with distracted drivers. That's what Sheriff Gary Hofmann thinks is the main reason drivers don't stop for a huge yellow bus with bright flashing red lights and a stop sign.
Cameras are now mounted on the school buses in the county. Cameras were put on at the beginning of this month.
"So far this month we have had six violations that have occurred And the school buses aren't even fully up and running yet."
John Murdoch is a driving instructor for the county. He's had this happen to him.
"It's devastating to the driver. There have been drivers that do not drive anymore because they've been a witness to a close call and it's just been too much."
If you run past one of these stop signs now and this camera catches you, you'll get a slap on the wrist, starting Monday it will be a different story.
"After this Monday there are no more warnings. The $250 fine will be going out in the mail to every person that passes the school bus," Hofmann said.
The camera turns on when the bus stops and records drivers automatically. A violation will be sent to the address of the car owner and the owner is responsible for the fine.
They have tried to educate drivers to make them more aware, but after driving for more than 10 years and training for a half a dozen more, Murdoch hasn't seen much improvement by drivers paying attention to stopped school buses.
"We can hope this will get the word out more than what we've done in the past," Murdoch said.
