686 drivers issued citations for passing stopped buses in Lee County during first school week

Drivers in Lee County have been fined $225 for passing stopped school buses since citations began in December, with 686 citations issued so far this new school year to improve safety for children. Video footage shows the number of drivers who speed past stopped school buses every day. Duane Leroux, a Lee County resident, shared his thoughts on the issue. "It only takes a couple of minutes of your time. Leave earlier. That's what I do. Only 15 minutes earlier. And avoid the school bus route, and don't have to worry about it. Slow down. Stop. These are children's lives that you're messing with. It's not that big of a deal to stop for their school bus," Leroux said. If caught on camera passing a stopped bus, drivers face a $225 ticket from the Lee County Sheriff's Office. Residents believe the punishment will help keep children safe. "It is a surprising number. But I mean, I hope that's going to keep the kids safe," Jessica Hall, a Lee County resident, said. Leroux also shared a personal story to highlight the dangers of ignoring school bus safety rules. "And I watch people do it all the time, and it's dangerous. I have a friend who actually had a child killed ten years ago by a car not stopping for a school bus, and ran over her six-year-old son," Leroux said. The Lee County School District reported earning $2.1 million from these tickets, after Bus Patrol and the Lee County Sheriff's Office took their share. Since December 2025, when cameras began issuing tickets, Lee County recorded 35,000 citations by the end of the last school year. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment, and original programming on your TV.