DEPARTMENT: Police Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: William P. McManus, Chief of Police
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Civil Penalty for Bus Stop-Arm Violations
SUMMARY:
On April 7, 2016, Council members Alan E. Warrick and Ray Lopez requested City Council consider an ordinance that would create a civil penalty for "unlawfully passing a stopped school bus while loading and unloading students", to include an overview of best practices from other Texas cities.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Existing Enforcement Resources
Council members Warrick and Lopez reference information provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that asserts children are at greatest risk when getting on or off a school bus. Nearly one-third of all deaths resulting from bus-related crashes occur within a 10-foot radius of the school bus and are attributed to motorists who disregard its flashing warning lights and deployed stop-arm.
The San Antonio Police Department enforces two school bus-related traffic codes; the table below details the relevant traffic codes and fines associated with each. Over the last three years, a total of 418 citations have been issued to motorists observed violating these codes.
Traffic Violation
Maximum Penalty
Passing Stopped School Bus
$519.90
Passing Stopped School Bus (Construction Zone)
$1,000.90
In addition, the SAPD employs 256 crossing guards which are assigned to schools throughout the city. The FY 2016 budget for the school crossing guard program is $2.4 million which is funded through the Child Safety Fund. The Child Safety Fund is comprised of revenue generated from Bexar County vehicle registrations, parking tickets and moving violations in school zones.
Major Texas Cities Comparison
Austin
The ordinance enacted by the City of Austin in 2015 allows the use of automated enforcement devices on school buses and makes violations of the ordinance a civil offe...
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