County buses receive safety upgrade in time for new school year

Stop-arm cameras have been installed on nearly all school buses in Rockland County in time for the 2024 school year.

County officials made the announcement on Tuesday.

“These cameras will automatically record any vehicle that illegally passes a stopped school bus, capturing crucial evidence that will be used to enforce traffic laws and hold offenders accountable,” said County Executive Ed Day. “But this program is not about enforcement; it’s about saving lives; and not just any lives, lives of children.”

In March of 2023, Day announced the launch of the Rockland County School Bus Safety program. During the 2023-24 school year, over 17,000 citations were issued to drivers for passing a school bus.

“These results are shocking, but not surprising given the national epidemic that exists with illegal school bus passings,” said Ryan Monell, vice president of government operations at BusPatrol.

Drivers caught by those cameras illegally passing stop-arms on school buses will be fined $250 for the first violation, $275 for the second, and $300 for the third.

“This is about the safety of students,” said Rockland County Sheriff’s Office Chief Ted Brovarski. “There’s been too many accidents and too many tragedies in Rockland County. When you see those red lights flashing you have to stop.” Read more about the new upgrades 

You can read more about the upgrades in this week’s County Executive Corner.

Day announcing the new upgrades in front of Clarkstown North High school.