News release from Mayor’s Office:
The City of Bridgeport is proud to announce the implementation of bus stop-arm cameras on all 248 City school buses, marking the first program of its kind in Connecticut. This initiative, in partnership with BusPatrol, is a critical step toward enhancing the safety and security of students and families by addressing the ongoing issue of illegal school bus passings.
In a study conducted over six months by BusPatrol and the City of Bridgeport, 74 school buses captured nearly 10,000 instances of vehicles illegally passing stopped school buses. With the full-fleet implementation of stop-arm cameras, the City aims to significantly reduce the rate of these violations and ensure that students can travel to and from school safely.
During today’s press conference, Mayor Ganim emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating, “These are very important elements into what hopefully will be preventative and punitive if someone illegally passes a school bus. We want to ensure that every student in this City and their parents feel safe as they leave their home and on the bus.”
The newly installed cameras will capture footage of vehicles illegally passing stopped school buses, which will be used to issue citations. The fine for violating the stop-arm law has been increased to $250 in an effort to deter dangerous driving behavior near school buses.
BusPatrol SVP Ryan Monell also highlighted the program’s financial structure, stating, “This is completely paid for by violations and will not cost the City any money to ensure these school buses are properly outfitted with the appropriate technology to capture violations.” Monell further emphasized that the program aims to change driver behavior and foster a safer driving culture throughout the City of Bridgeport.
The City of Bridgeport is committed to the safety of its students and families, and the implementation of this cutting-edge technology represents a significant advancement in the enforcement of school bus safety laws. Over time, the City anticipates a substantial decrease in illegal school bus passings as drivers become more aware of the consequences.
Not saying punishment, vie $$$$ won’t have a positive effect, however if they truly care for students safety they would install an arm or at the very least a stop 🛑 sign at the back of the bus. JS