The Collier County Sheriff’s Office and the Collier County School District are teaming to crack down on drivers who illegally pass a stopped school bus.The School District Transportation Department has recognized a recent increase in vehicles passing school buses that are stopped to load or unload children, particularly in Golden Gate and Golden Gate Estates. In response, CCSO’s Safety Traffic Enforcement Bureau will begin a specialized enforcement initiative in Golden Gate and the Estates.
The initiative begins Monday, April 19, and continues through the end of the week, beginning at 6:15 a.m. each day. Deputies in marked patrol vehicles will conduct the stops.
Sgt. Chris Gonzalez said similar initiatives have been successful.
“In the past when we have provided similar special enforcement for the School District it has appeared that our increased focus on this violation helped tremendously,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez added, “Our vision is of having every citizen make a personal commitment to drive safely. Voluntary compliance to traffic laws is our goal. Decreasing fatalities and injury crashes is everyone’s responsibility.”
The fine for illegally passing a stopped school bus is $268 in Collier County.
