As students returned to school this week, the Howard County Police Department is working to ensure safety through an annual back-to-school initiative, Helping Arriving Students Through Enforcement.

New lighted stop signs have also been distributed to all crossing guards to improve visibility and the safety of guards and students, according to a police news release. The signs were funded by fines collected through the police department’s automated enforcement programs.

Increased traffic patrols will be in place on roadways surrounding schools for the first three weeks of the school year, according to the release. Officers will focus on distracted drivers, those who fail to stop for pedestrians and are speeding in those areas. They will also be checking for child safety seat and seat belt use.

Buses serving the Howard County Public School System have been outfitted with external cameras to discourage motorists from illegally passing buses. The state’s fine for illegally passing a school bus is $250.

The number of external bus camera citations decreased from 9,792 during the 2022-2023 school year to 9,554 during the 2023-2024 school year, according to the police department’s website.

During the first week of school, speed cameras are located on Cedar Lane at Swansfield Elementary, Cradlerock Rock Way at Cradlerock Farm Court, Gray Rock Drive at Sunlit Passage, Great Star Drive at Western Star Run, Ilchester Road, Kilimanjaro Road, Mission Road at Ridgely’s Run Road, Montgomery Road, Old Annapolis Road at Whitworth Way, Tamar Drive at Autumn Ridge and Whiskey Bottom Road at Phillips School, according to the police department’s website.

The speed camera program is designed to encourage drivers to slow down in school zones and has fines set at $40, according to the release. The cameras are rotated among various school zones in the county, which are posted in advance and updated every week on the police department’s website.

Seth Hoffman, public information officer for the police department said the department’s school bus safety programs will help ensure a safe school year.

“The hope is increased visual patrols and school bus cameras deter dangerous driving and speeding near schools and anywhere buses are stopping to pick up/drop off students,” he said.