MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — With the start of another school year only a week away, police say cameras will be added to numerous Montgomery County buses to help catch drivers illegally passing school buses that are stopped for loading and unloading of children.

It is against the law for a car to pass a bus that is stopped with its lights flashing and stop-sign arm extended. Police are reminding drivers that traffic in both directions must stop for a school bus if there is no dividing median on the road.

A pilot program between Montgomery County Public Schools and Montgomery County police began last year with around 20 buses being outfitted with cameras to catch drivers breaking the law. This year, authorities announced that number will go up to around 100 buses within two weeks of the start of the school year, WTOP reports. Within three years, the district plans to have 1,200 buses with cameras.

