Maryland County Considers Doubling Fines for Passing School Buses

Police have issued tickets to 730 drivers for passing stopped school buses in Montgomery County in the past nine months.

Police say that number is way too high.

In Washington County, just over 100 tickets were issued during the same time period. In Frederick County, just four tickets have been issued. And in Prince George’s County, which has had 20 bus cameras for two months, just one ticket has been issued.

Montgomery County Council President Craig Rice tells WRC-TV that the council would like to increase tickets for passing buses from $125 to $250.

Rice says Montgomery County’s numbers are “off the charts” and called the issue a “tremendous problem.”

Rice says he’s sent a letter to the county’s chief judge asking for the ability to increase fines.