ALBERMARLE CO (WSLS10) - A gap in Virginia state law is setting school systems back in installing school bus cameras designed to catch drivers illegally passing stopped busses.
Based on a study in Albemarle County, it is estimated 6,000 cars illegally pass school buses a year.
Recommended Videos
That breaks down to 150 disregarded bus stop signs a week.
Districts like Albemarle County had plans to punish and deter drivers from illegally going around stopped school buses by installing special cameras that would take pictures when a driver passed a bus. The driver would then be mailed a summons and fine.
When Albemarle County Attorney Larry Davis reviewed Virginia's code however, he determined that under current law, fines can be mailed from red light cameras but not school bus cameras.
Although the opinion does not stop school buses or police departments from taking advantage of using the cameras, the fines must be hand delivered.
A spokesperson for the Albemarle County school system says they will go to Richmond in January to ask for changes to made in the current laws.