Drivers could face $150 fine for passing Dist. 15 buses

After a grace period ended Wednesday, Rolling Meadows police will start issuing fines for drivers caught on camera blowing past stop signs extended on the side of Palatine Township Elementary District 15 school buses.

A first-time violator will face a $150 fine. Each subsequent infraction will cost $500.

The district hired a maker of red-light cameras to install video cameras on the stop arms of buses that serve Central Road, Kimball Hill and Willow Bend elementary schools, as well as Plum Grove and Carl Sandburg junior highs - all in Rolling Meadows.

The devices will record traffic when bus drivers flip the switch on red stop arms and pick up or drop off students. If a driver passes a school bus with an activated stop sign, the camera will capture and send video to Rolling Meadows police, who will review the footage and issue a citation to violators.

The rules also apply to school grounds.