Article from: www.thenewspaper.com/news/19/1977.asp
9/19/2007
Pennsylvania: Bill Converts School Buses into Ticket Cameras
Pennsylvania legislature begins consideration of legislation authorizing automated ticketing machines on public school buses.
The Pennsylvania House Transportation Committee on Monday began consideration of legislation that would convert school buses into mobile ticket cameras. Pennsylvania state Representative Bob Godshall (R-Hatfield) introduced the legislation to give the state Department of Transportation the authority to mail out tickets generated by "stop arm" cameras mounted on the state's fleet of public school buses.
Any vehicle that does not stop at least ten feet behind the bus when the bus driver puts on the red flashing light would be photographed. The vehicle's owner would then be mailed a $100 ticket and have five points imposed against his driver's license. Godshall's bill would divert $100,000 from the state's gas tax fund to kick start the ticketing pilot program. The city of Liberty, Missouri began a similar ticketing program last year.
Article Excerpt:THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL No. 247
Session of 2007
INTRODUCED BY GODSHALL, CALTAGIRONE, GALLOWAY AND MOYER on FEBRUARY 6, 2007
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, FEBRUARY 6, 2007
AN ACT
Establishing a pilot program to provide for automated enforcement of meeting or overtaking school bus requirements in a selected school district.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Automated Enforcement System on School Buses Pilot Program Act.
Section 2. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Department." The Department of Transportation of the Commonwealth.
"Program." The Automated Enforcement System on School Buses Pilot Program established in section 3.
Section 3. Establishment of pilot program.
The department is authorized to establish and administer the Automated Enforcement System on School Buses Pilot Program during the 2007-2008 school year. The program shall provide for the enforcement of 75 Pa.C.S. Section 3345 (relating to meeting or overtaking school bus) by recording violations using an automated enforcement system designed to be installed on school buses and approved by the department. The department shall:
(1) Develop and publicize an application procedure for school districts interested in participating in the program.
(2) Select one school district to participate in the program from the list of applicant school districts.
(3) Make available a one-time grant to the school district selected to fund the implementation and operation of the automated enforcement system under this act in the 2007- 2008 school year. The grant shall not exceed $100,000 or be derived from the Motor License Fund.
(4) Monitor and evaluate the program and present a report of the evaluation to the Transportation Committee of the Senate and the Transportation Committee of the House of Representatives.
Section 4. Expiration.
This act shall expire June 30, 2008.
Section 5. Effective date.
This act shall take effect immediately.