Stop-Arm Cameras Can Now Be Installed on School Buses Stop-Arm Cameras Can Now Be Installed on School Buses

[Reporter: Chiann Nobrega]
STOP-ARM CAMERAS CAN NOW BE INSTALLED ON SCHOOL BUSES.
THE CAMERAS ARE ATTACHED TO THE STOP SIGN THAT EXTENDS OUTWARD WHEN A BUS IS STOPPED.
THE DEVICE AUTOMATICALLY RECORDS CARS THAT ILLEGALLY PASS.
DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE SYRACUSE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT THERESA KUSS SAYS THIS LAW IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

[Theresa Kuss]
“We have so many vehicles running buses daily and putting students at risk.”

[Reporter: Chiann Nobrega]
THE BILL ENSURES STUDENTS ARE SAFELY TRANSPORTED TO AND FROM SCHOOL.
ACCORDING TO THE NEW YORK SCHOOL BUS CONTRACTORS
ASSOCIATION, 2.7 MILLION STUDENTS TAKE A SCHOOL BUS EVERY YEAR.
KUSS SAYS DRIVERS NEED TO BE MORE CAUTIOUS.

[Theresa Kuss]
“We’ve had a lot of fatalities by motorists passing the buses so I think it will bring awareness if nothing else to motorist that they really have to stop.”

[Reporter: Chiann Nobrega]
VIOLATORS OF THE LAW FACE A $250 TICKET.
CHIANN NOBREGA, N-C-C NEWS.

By Chiann Nobrega SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – New York school districts now have the tool to hold drivers responsible for passing school buses.

Governor Andrew Cuomo signs new legislation that allows school districts to install stop-arm cameras on school buses to ensure student safety. The cameras are installed on the stop sign that extends outward when the bus is stopped and automatically film drivers who unlawfully pass.

Theresa Kuss, the director of transportation for the Syracuse city school district, says drivers who pass stopped buses put students at risk.

“It happens daily here unfortunately,” Kuss says. 

The bill does not provide costs to install the cameras, manage the video monitoring system and ensure the privacy of people who are filmed. Kuss says she does not think the price will deter the Syracuse city school district from installing the devices because it is very important.

“We are in the process of going about it,” Kuss says. “There’s many vendors out there interested in helping us out.”

Violators of the law face a $250 ticket with increased amounts for repeat offenses. The law goes into effect September 5.

 

 

 

Reported by

Chiann Nobrega

Chiann Nobrega is a Newhouse master's student at Syracuse University studying broadcast and digital journalism with a sports communication emphasis. She got her bachelor's degree from the University of Oregon in journalism and public relations. Chiann is originally from Honolulu, Hawaii.

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