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Department of Education study shows more drivers passing school buses illegally

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A new study by the Department of Education shows that an increasing number of drivers are speeding past school buses while their lights are flashing to warn drivers to stop.

“I always stop and teach my kids to stop because that could be my kid out there one day,” parent Robin Wells said.

The data in the new study came from school bus drivers. The state gives the drivers a date every year to count how many drivers illegally pass their buses.

The Florida Department of Education study found that 10,987 drivers passed buses illegally on the day specified in the study.

A bill is currently being considered could bring harsher penalties for illegally passing school buses. It could also help track down the lawbreakers by requiring cameras to record anyone racing past.

“There's cameras that catch everything else, red lights (and) running red lights. I think going around a stopped school bus is just as important as running a red light,” Wells said.