School Bus Camera Revenue Should Go to the Schools
The recent story presented by Channel 10 brought attention to cameras on school busses. Being a former driver myself, I think it is well needed. However, to have 75% of the fines collected given back to the company is unbelievable. With all the shortfall of school budgets, just what were out legislators thinking writing the law that way?
"SmartBus Live, the company that installs and monitors cameras on school buses in six Rhode Island communities, said cameras will actually stop drivers from illegally passing a school bus.According to state law, 75 percent of the fine from every ticket issued using a school bus camera goes directly to the company providing the service."
John O'Gara
11:29 am on Friday, February 10, 2012
From what I understand, the SmartBus Live system is quite expensive. The company offers to install the system on a number of buses in each town for free; of course, nothing is free these days, and that's why their agreement with the towns only provides them with 25% of the revenue from fines. If the town administrators should perhaps be more diligent in negotiating better contracts, so that once the capital equipment is paid for through the fines, then the town's cut increases. I'm all for catching violators, and the fine if caught on camera is $500. But if an officer spots a driver committing the same violation the fine is $300. What's up with that?
Ray Andrews
8:53 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012
Just one thing to keep in mind, if the fine income goes to the school, it makes it easier for anyone to beat the ticket in court. This happens because in a situation like that, the school becomes a compensated witness of the offense . In other words it is in the schools financial interest to report and act as witness . A number of automated traffic violation fines in numerous states have been voided in courts for just this reason.
Jack Baillargeron
12:29 pm on Saturday, February 11, 2012
David, I think the bigger thing to find out, is how much oney has been generated over the last couple of years on these tickets. ell I agee in principle to the camera's, the justice system makes it pretty easy to avoid the ticket, as the officers if I remember right, have to be there in court at no pay, Along with Rays, statement which I have heard before in other states.
Well most do pay the tickets with out fighting it, due to the camera, the revenue stream needs to found out, in order to make a more informed opinion as to whether it is worth it at all to do it over time.