The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office has announced a halt to fines issued through the school bus camera program when violations involve lane dividers. This decision comes after numerous complaints from drivers who claimed they were unfairly penalized.
The school bus safety program in the county is a joint effort between the school district, the Sheriff's Office, and the private company BusPatrol. Last year, BusPatrol equipped all public school buses with cameras to catch drivers who don't stop when the "stop" sign is extended. However, private school buses are not included in this system.
According to local media reports such as América TeVé, thousands of drivers have received $225 fines under this program, even when they were following traffic laws. Notably, some were fined despite being on the opposite side of a central lane divider, which is legal under Florida traffic laws.
Amid growing controversy, the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office announced they would suspend all fines related to lane dividers. Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz posted on her X account, "I have immediately suspended the enforcement of all fines related to violations concerning lane dividers. Stay tuned for further updates."
In a subsequent update, she mentioned that drivers wishing to contest a citation could do so at alertbus.com, where the violation will be "put on hold" until the hearing. She also clarified that fines already paid were collected directly by BusPatrol, not the Sheriff's Office, so they have no legal control over those payments. The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office reiterated this information in another message on X.
Many drivers believe the program has been implemented unfairly. Jorge Moya, who received a fine in October, stated to local media that his lawyer advised him to pay it because "he wouldn't win." However, Moya noticed that the violation on his ticket did not match the bus camera video.
Attorney Mark Gold from The Ticket Clinic criticized the program, comparing it to red light cameras that were challenged in the Florida Supreme Court. "This isn't about safety; it's about generating revenue," he told Local 10 News.
Meanwhile, BusPatrol defended its technology, claiming its mission is to enhance safety at school bus stops. The use of cameras on school buses was approved by the Florida Senate in 2024 and adopted in Miami-Dade shortly after. The law requires drivers to stop when a school bus has the "stop" sign extended, except when they are on the opposite side of a divided highway with a raised median or a physical barrier at least five feet wide.
Since the program's implementation in the spring of 2024, BusPatrol has reported an average of 6,000 weekly violations in the county, according to data shared by Local 10 News. The partial suspension of fines has been welcomed by drivers, but concerns about the fairness of the program's application persist. In the meantime, the Sheriff's Office will continue reviewing the system and complaints from affected individuals.
Understanding School Bus Camera Fines in Miami-Dade
Why were the school bus camera fines suspended in Miami-Dade?
The fines were suspended due to numerous complaints from drivers who claimed they were unfairly penalized, especially in cases involving lane dividers where the law allows them to proceed without stopping.
Who is responsible for collecting the fines from the school bus camera program?
The fines collected were handled directly by BusPatrol, not the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office, which means the Sheriff's Office has no control over those payments.
How can drivers contest a school bus camera fine?
Drivers who wish to contest their citations can do so on alertbus.com, where the violation will be held until a hearing takes place.