Voorheesville Central School District (VCSD) has partnered with BusPatrol to modernize school bus fleets with advanced safety technology to tackle the illegal passing of stopped school buses.
It is illegal to pass a stopped school bus in New York State. Traffic approaching from either direction must stop for a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing. Despite this, every day in New York State, an estimated 50,000 cars illegally pass stopped school buses, putting children at risk, according to the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. Albany County is tackling dangerous driving around school buses by launching a new safety initiative in partnership with local law enforcement and BusPatrol. VCSD is the most recent Albany County school district to implement the program across its fleet of 33 buses.
The BusPatrol program will go live on January 5, following a 30-day warning period and public awareness campaign to remind drivers of school bus stopping laws.
VCSD Superintendent Frank Macri says BusPatrol gives the district a new opportunity to keep students safe.
“If this can prevent even one tragic accident, it will be worth it,” said Macri.
Transportation Supervisor Ann Potts says this is a vital tool to increase student safety.
“Our drivers have encountered an increasing problem with vehicles passing our school buses while students are loading and unloading daily,” said Potts. “The implementation of the BusPatrol monitoring and reporting systems on our buses will greatly improve the safety of our children and the education of drivers on our district roads.”
How it works
VCSD buses have been fitted with AI-powered stop-arm cameras to detect the license plates of vehicles that fail to stop for school buses, putting children at risk. The video evidence is shared with local law enforcement for review to determine if a ticket should be issued.
The fine for a first-time violation is $250.
Through Albany County’s partnership with BusPatrol, the technology procurement, installation, maintenance, and program management are provided at no cost to taxpayers. The program will be entirely and exclusively funded by violator revenue over a five-year term.
To learn more about the School Bus Safety Program and New York State school bus stopping laws, go to BusPatrol.com.