Cameras to catch school bus passers

The P.E.I. government tabled legislation Wednesday permitting the use of cameras on school busesto gather evidence of people illegally passingthe buses.

It is the second time Transportation Minister Ron MacKinley has upped the ante against drivers who pass a school bus flashing red lights. Last year he doubled the minimum fine from $500 to $1,000. MacKinley said the new plan will allow bus drivers to focus on the children and the road.

"The bus driver is going down the road. He stops. He's got to be able to swear in court who was driving the car, the vehicle, and also the licence number. And yet he's got to look after those children," he said.

"We're trying to move the technology that would be able to catch it in the camera and have it stand up in court."

The plan is to have two video cameras on the outside of a school bus. One wouldrecord the stop sign that swings out from the side of the bus. The other would capturea passingvehicle's licence plate. Each video unit would cost about $2,500, and to start MacKinley plans to equip about 10 buses.

One key aspect of the legislation will be the ability to charge the owner of the vehicle, not just the driver.

"If they're going to lay a charge who pays the fine? The fine will be fined to the vehicle."

Police will first approach the vehicle owner. If the owner wasn't driving and is prepared to turn over who was, then police will charge that person instead.

The legislation also opens the door for jurisdictions on P.E.I. to introduce photo radar machines.

Charlottetown police asked for photo radar two years ago, but the necessary legislation wasn't in place. Central to enabling legislation is the ability to charge car owners rather than drivers.

Charlottetown city council has not budgeted any moneyto installphoto radar in this fiscal year.