Stop-arm cameras catch 94 drivers passing Polk County school buses on first day

Polk County law enforcement officers are cracking down on drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses equipped with automated safety cameras.

admin August 24, 2026 2 minutes read

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Polk County law enforcement officers are cracking down on drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses equipped with automated safety cameras.

Polk County bus safety

What we know:

All 515 school buses in the county now carry stop-arm safety cameras to catch motorists putting children in danger. On the first day of school this year, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office issued 94 citations to violators.

Deputies averaged 74 traffic citations per school day in 2025. Each violation carries a $225 fine, with $200 going to the local school district and $25 directed to the Florida Department of Health’s Emergency Medical Services Trust Fund.

Bus citation screening process

What they’re saying:

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd emphasized that deputies filter out accidental enforcement before writing citations.

“If people are in the process of passing the school bus, and the stop arm catches them midway — we don’t even write those citations. So we screen out the close calls; these are the ones that have clearly violated the law,” Judd said.

Judd added that driver excuses do not justify endangerment. “I realize that people are in a hurry, and sometimes people are talking on their phones and not paying attention, but I also realize that’s no excuse,” he said.

Florida driver recidivism data

By the numbers:

Data from technology company Verra Mobility shows that 98% of people who receive a stop-arm violation do not repeat the behavior. The data also reveals a 12% reduction in issued violations from the beginning to the end of the school year.

Despite these stats, overall violation numbers remain high.

“I don’t want us to write even one ticket. I just ask, please, respect our children and understand that the most important cargo we move on the roads is our children,” Judd said.

Bus camera program details

What we don’t know:

Officials have not disclosed the total dollar amount collected in fines since the camera program began. It remains unknown whether additional buses or routes will see expanded enforcement measures in upcoming school terms.