Editor:
The Kutztown School District needs to reverse course on stop-arm cameras for school buses (“Parents concerned about library books,” Reading Eagle, Nov. 5).
Act 38 of 2020 should be repealed. This law modified the stop-arm camera law for illegally passing school buses. It assumes a vehicle’s owner was driving and takes away the person’s rights. It allows multiple entities to reap profits based on the number of tickets issued, which will act as an incentive to issue more tickets.
The goal should be to prevent illegal school bus passing, not try to rake in revenue. The law will not solve anything. Where is a requirement for a minimum flashing yellow duration? How about mandating stop-arm extenders to block the next lane? Making bus stops only on the right side of the bus to prevent crossing the roads? Having adults cross the kids? Moving stops to smaller roads and away from intersections?
If a flashing yellow is too short, what is the incentive to fix it? Same for moving stops to more suitable locations. In some places you may not see a bus, may not be able to safely stop or not know if you must stop. You will not see a bus on intersecting roads.
What happens if you are near the bus when the lights change to flashing reds? Are split-second violations issued?
Also, people may end up slamming the brakes or flooring it, if they think they could get tickets. This could create an unsafe situation.
James Sikorski Jr.
National Motorists Association
Source: Berkshire mont
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