Cameras to nab cars passing Cape Breton school buses

After dozens of drivers were caught passingschool buses with their lights flashing, the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board has decided to install cameras on the outside of eight school buses to curb the illegal practice.

A survey found 87 violations over a two-week period last October in the Cape Breton-Victoria region one of the highest number of violations in the province.

Colleen MacMullin, the board's transportation coordinator,said the numbers are alarming.

"Because it was higher than most of the other boards and we really didn't think that it was quite that high and 87 in two-weeks is very high. Every one of those 87 violations could have been an injury or a death," she said.

The cameras will be installed on eight buses and will capture images of licence plates and the vehicles passing buses.

According to Nova Scotia RCMP, the fine for passing a stopped school bus is $394.50 for the first offence, $682 for the second offence and $1,257 for the third offence.

The school board says its message is simple.

"People should stop for flashing red lights. Children are getting on and off buses, said MacMullin.