Dutchess County is tired of people defying traffic safety laws as locals and tourists drive around a school bus, or don’t stop at all if coming from the opposite direction. County Executive Marcus Molinaro’s Office sent out a press release this week stating that Dutchess County had launched a “School Bus Safety Program,” which is a codified partnership with a company, BusPatrol, who mounts cameras and GPS trackers onto several angles of a school bus in order to see which car is breaking the law. A photo is taken and a ticket is mailed to the owner of the vehicle by BusPatrol. “The program is entirely funded by violators over a five-year term” according to the press release.

“Passing a stopped school bus is more than illegal, it’s dangerous and threatens the lives of young students every day,” said Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro. “Dutchess County will not tolerate such reckless conduct, and today’s partnership with BusPatrol codifies our intent to keep students safe: If you illegally pass a school bus, risking children’s safety, be prepared to pay the penalty.”

50,000 Drivers Illegally Drive Around Stopped School Buses Every Day In NY State

According to the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, an estimated 50,000 motorists illegally pass stopped school buses every day in New York State, putting the lives and safety of children at risk, according to the press release.

In Beacon, groups of children or a single child is dropped off at locations around town organized by the school district’s Transportation Department. This means that rather than dropping a child off at their home, the buses make group drop offs at designated intersections around town.

A Little Beacon Blog researched one bus stop for Beacon City School children on Verplanck Avenue and Cross Street to observe vehicle behavior around the school bus stopping at this intersection. During that first attempt, as the large school bus approached the intersection to let off a child on Verplanck Avenue, the bus driver put on their blinking yellow lights and red bus sign to make a very large presence on Verplanck Avenue. Didn’t matter. At least 2 cars whizzed around the bus, despite the bus stopping at a stop sign. This means, that the drivers would have had to drive around the bus, and then not be able to encounter the stop sign, as the bus was stopped at it.

Several other cars from the oncoming direction never even slowed down. Picking up a toddler from the bus was chaotic, dangerous and windy from rushing cars. The bus driver looked extremely concerned as the child departed the bus into the arms of the parent.

Crossing Verplanck Avenue to get back to the resident’s home was a different difficult experience, as there is not a lot of space between the sidewalk and Verplanck Avenue, putting people and cars very close together on that street. Kids like to skip around after school, excited to be released from the classroom. Controlling a toddler on Verplanck Avenue is an undertaking.

When Will Ticketing Start?

The program is starting in the Pine Plains school district at first. The Pine Plains Central School District is the first in Dutchess County to implement the program across its entire fleet of 38 school buses; several other local districts are expected to join the program in the coming year.

Dr. Martin Handler, Pine Plains Schools Superintendent, said, “The safety of our students is a top priority, and the Pine Plains Central School District is eager to protect students from motorists who flout the law and illegally drive around a stopped school bus. Pine Plains is proud to be the first local school district to take part in the County’s partnership with BusPatrol and take an active role in protecting our students. We are certain this partnership will improve student safety, and it has the potential to save lives.”

Dutchess County says that ticketing will commence with an initial warning period: Effective December 13, 2021, motorists who illegally pass a stopped Pine Plains school bus equipped with these cameras will receive a warning until Jan. 12, 2022, said the County Executive’s Office. Starting Jan. 13, 2022, drivers who do so will receive a citation and fine in the mail. If your spouse or partner frequently defies traffic laws in your car, it may be time to not let them drive your car anymore, if the title is in your name. Tickets are issued by camera, checked by BusPatrol, and mailed to the title owner.

How Many Buses Are Getting The Cameras?

According to the press release, more than 1,000 school buses across Dutchess County have access to advanced safety technology at zero cost to local taxpayers, including stop-arm cameras to help enforce traffic laws and educate motorists on the dangers of passing school buses.

In terms of the Beacon City School District opting in, Dutchess County responded to ALBB’s questions gauging Beacon’s interest: “The County sent an email to the district superintendent in Beacon on November 8, 2021. Prior to that, the Deputy County Executive talked with the Beacon superintendent about the program. The Beacon City School District is interested, but has not yet opted into the program.”

How The Camera System Works For Traffic Safety

In addition to stop-arm cameras, school districts have access to additional safety technology including:

• Cloud-managed, 360-degree safety cameras (interior, windshield, rearview and sideload) to provide a full view of activity surrounding the school bus;

• Emergency response solutions to enable student transportation, school, and law enforcement officials to respond immediately; and

• GPS, routing and telemetry solutions to see where buses are located at any given time.

The technology, installation and maintenance of all hardware and software included in the BusPatrol Student Safety Platform are provided at no cost to the school district and taxpayers. The program is entirely funded by violators over a five-year term.

Jean Souliere, CEO and Founder of BusPatrol, said in the press release, “Our safety programs are helping to promote a safer driving culture across the state of New York. We want to create a reflex in drivers, so that every time they see a big yellow bus on the road, they slow down and prepare to stop. That simple action could help save the life of a child.”.