AUSTIN, Texas — Class is now in session in Austin ISD, and that means drivers are once again sharing the road with buses, crossing guards, and children heading to and from school.

Every year, Austin ISD says thousands of drivers are caught failing to stop for school buses.

“If you watch this video, it will literally make your heart jump,” said Austin ISD Police Chief Wayne Sneed.

The video, taken last October, shows a school bus as it stops and the doors open. The driver of the truck drives around a car, and then the bus comes within inches of a 12-year-old student about to step off.

“I cannot stress the severity of this incident enough,” said Chief Sneed.

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Austin ISD started using stop-arm cameras in 2016. Each year the cameras catch thousands of drivers who do not stop when students are getting on and off buses.

“All of our school buses are equipped with stop-arm cameras. You pass those buses, first of all, you are jeopardizing possibly the life of a student. Plus, you will be issued a citation,” said Kris Hafezizadeh, Austin ISD Executive Director of Transportation.

To avoid getting a $300 fine, stop your car when you see the red lights and stop arm. If you are coming from the other direction, you still must stop unless a physical median or barrier is separating you from the bus.

“Sometimes they drive real fast,” said former school crossing guard Robert Cabrera.

Cabrera worked as a school crossing guard for several years in Austin ISD.

“There was a time when a car hit a couple of kids when I was there,” said Cabrera.

He said he asked the driver what he was doing, and the driver said he was in a hurry to get to work.

Cabrera is now retired, but from his front porch he still sees dangerous situations at the elementary school across the street.

His advice: if a crossing guard steps into the crosswalk, stop and give them and the students the entire crossing. Then do not start moving again until the guard signals that it is safe.

“No matter how many safety measures we put in place, the ultimate responsibility belongs to the person behind the steering wheel,” said Austin Mayor Kirk Watson.

The $300 fines are effective. Austin ISD says 90% of first-time offenders do not illegally pass a school bus again after getting a ticket.