Caught on camera! Some drivers in Polk County are blowing through school bus stop signs and parents fear it’s only a matter of time before a kid gets hurt.
One of those parents, Erica Richardson, is a mom-turned-video vigilante, saving and sharing her doorbell camera video to try and shame the drivers into stopping.
It’s a safety hazard Richardson says has recently gotten worse in front of her home on Kathleen Road, which serves as a bus stop for her children as well as others in the neighborhood.
Wednesday morning, her video surveillance once again captured drivers disregarding the bus’ stop signs as children got on board.
“People have no consideration for human life anymore, it feels like,” Richardson said.
Richardson’s videos show the bus driver blaring the horn at drivers in a futile attempt to get them to stop.
Florida law states drivers must stop for a school bus with its sign out, regardless of direction, unless it’s a divided highway. Kathleen Road in front of Richardson’s home is undivided, one lane in each direction.
Richardson isn’t sure if drivers don’t know the law, or are just blatantly disregarding it. She hopes sharing the video gets them to stop.
“What else am I going to do?” she questioned. “I can’t run out in the road, they’ll plow through me!”
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office says it has issued four citations for failing to stop for a school bus so far this school year. Richardson called the stat unbelievable.
“Because four cars blew past the bus just this morning!” she exclaimed.
Richardson also acknowledges law enforcement can’t follow every bus, every morning. It’s up to drivers to step up and obey the law for the kids’ safety, she says.
“If we’re going to disregard the law, what example are we setting for our children?” Richardson asked.
After receiving complaints, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office confirmed it has assigned a patrol unit to the bus stop outside Richardson’s home for Thursday morning.
