Drivers in Limbo: Fighting Unfair School Bus Camera Citations

The story of Lars Larson, a driver in Tampa who was fined for illegally passing a stopped school bus, has sparked controversy and legal action. Larson, along with over 2,000 other drivers in Hillsborough County, believes he was unfairly cited and is fighting back against the $225 fine. However, due to a lack of legal process in place, Larson and others are stuck in limbo, waiting for their day in court.

The new school bus cameras, implemented as part of a state law to record drivers who ignore the stop arm sign, have generated over $20 million in fines in Miami Dade and Hillsborough County alone. The majority of these fines go to BusPatrol, the camera vendor, raising questions about whether revenue is being prioritized over drivers’ rights.

A class action lawsuit has been filed by Miami attorney Gino Moreno, arguing that drivers are being fined without due process, violating their constitutional rights. The lack of a legal process for drivers to challenge their violations has left many frustrated and waiting for their court date.

Despite the revenue generated by the bus cameras, drivers like Larson are calling for a more functional system that prioritizes safety while also ensuring that drivers have the opportunity to contest their citations. As the legal battle continues, Larson and others are left waiting for a resolution in a system that appears to have been rushed without proper consideration for drivers’ rights.