Program to Put Cameras on Bus Stop-Arms Launches In Rockland County
County Executive Ed Day hosted an Information Session on the County of Rockland’s new school bus safety program Wednesday at the Rockland County Fire Training Center for school leaders, both public and private.
Every day in New York State, an estimated 50,000 drivers illegally pass stopped school buses, putting the lives and safety of children at risk. To make roads safer for our children, the County of Rockland has partnered with company BusPatrol to launch the Rockland County School Bus Safety program.
According to BusPatrol, the program has a proven reduction in the rate of illegal passings by up to 30% year over year.
Roughly 30 district leaders from various schools attended the event for an in-depth presentation from BusPatrol and a live look at the camera equipment.
“The violator-funded business model allows districts to opt into the program and have their school buses equipped with cameras on the bus stop-arms at no-cost to districts,” said County Executive Ed Day. I’m hopeful that all our school districts, private and public, do opt into this.”
Drivers caught by those cameras illegally passing activated stop-arms on school buses will then be issued the following penalties by mail:
1st Violation $250
2nd Violation $275
3rd Violation $300
(within 18-month period)
Of the revenue generated from the violations, 55% goes back to BusPatrol and 45% goes to the County for the first two years, after which the revenue split turns to 60/40.
The revenue the County receives funds the internal cameras that are installed, the enforcement cost under the Sheriff’s Office which includes hiring an officer to review the footage, and a $115 per bus technology fee.
“I want to start off on behalf of myself thanking County Executive Ed Day for working collaboratively with law enforcement, and across the aisle with our legislators, to give us another tool in our toolbox in law enforcement to keep our children safe and that’s very, very important to us,” said Rockland County Sheriff Louis Falco.
Once 25% of buses for a district are equipped with cameras a 30-day warning period will begin to residents. After that ends, the live citation and ticketing will start.
“There’s a student transportation safety crisis and it’s happening right under our noses,” said Steve Randazzo, Executive Vice President of Government Relations for BusPatrol.
BusPatrol confirms several districts have begun the process to opt-in. As districts and transportation companies need to enter into agreements with BusPatrol, further questions about that should be directed to Bus Patrol’s Head of External Affairs Jason Elan by email at jason.elan@buspatrol.com.
