POTTSVILLE, Pa. — As part of the Bus Patrol Safety Program, every Pottsville Area School District bus is now equipped with cameras to stop people from illegally passing school buses.
The district recently partnered with the program to install AI-enabled cameras to help enforce stop-arm laws. The cameras can capture clear video footage of any vehicle unlawfully passing school buses at designated bus stops once the stop arm is extended. Now that the trial period is over, police are giving citations to any driver violating stop-arm laws.
"The safety of our students is our top priority, and making sure that we can do everything possible to prevent people from unlawfully passing our school buses is a priority," said Jared Gerace, School Safety & Security Coordinator.
The cameras are installed on the side of each bus, and the surrounding area is scanned once the stop arm is extended. Four cameras on the side, one on the top, and one on the front and back of the school bus work together to record a driver's car, license plate, and face if they pass the school bus while the stop-arm is extended.
The bus patrol program then sends that footage to the Pottsville Bureau of Police or the Port Carbon Police Department for further analysis. The fine for a first offense is $300.
"They do not send out the citation unless the police actually check it over themselves," said Donald Ditzler, Pottsville Area School District Facilities and Grounds Supervisor.
The Pottsville Area School District Superintendent Sarah Yoder says the installation of the cameras has proven effective in reducing the number of drivers illegally passing school buses.
"Yes, it's been effective to not only reduce the overall number of violators, but we do not have any repeat violators, so people are learning that we do have these cameras that capture them violating the school bus laws," said Yoder.
Officials with the Pottsville Area School District say there were 53 stop-arm violations in April and May last year. They tell Newswatch 16 that the number has dropped to ten this school year.