The Cheltenham Township Police Department is urging drivers to proceed carefully around school buses, 6ABC reported today.

According to the story, the department has issued 5,400 violations over the last 14 months, including 700 citations in October and tens of thousands in fines, to keep schoolchildren in the area safe.

“If it hadn’t been for the bus driver being aware and leaning out the window, waving down the car to stop — that car would have struck that child across the street,” Cheltenham Lt. Andy Snyder said during a press conference on Thursday.

The current fine for a violation is currently $300, Snyder said.

“We are frustrated that we’re seeing this high number of violations, and we are frustrating that so many drivers either aren’t aware of or are intentionally disregarding the duties when approaching a school bus,” Snyder said.

In September 2023, Cheltenham School District partnered with local law enforcement and BusPatrol to better address cars illegally passing stopped school buses.

“This is about to amp up before we have a tragedy and that’s why we’re here right now,” Cheltenham superintendent Dr. Brian Scriven said

6ABC’s video coverage is below:

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Screengrab: 6ABC