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Hundreds of school buses in Onondaga County will soon be equipped with advanced stop arm safety technology. This initiative aims to protect students by documenting vehicles that illegally pass stopped school buses. The program, announced by Verra Mobility Corporation, will start by outfitting over 500 buses with cutting-edge stop arm cameras. These cameras will automatically capture evidence of violations, which will then be used by law enforcement to issue tickets.
The districts participating in this program include Baldwinsville, East Syracuse, Liverpool, North Syracuse, Jamesville-DeWitt, and Fabius-Pompey. The initiative will affect more than 20,000 students across over 40 schools. According to PR Newswire, the program is expected to roll out in phases, with the goal of implementation by the beginning of the 2025/2026 school year.
New York State Assemblyman William Magnarelli emphasized the importance of this program, noting that drivers often disregard laws meant to protect children boarding and exiting buses. The cameras are designed to deter such behavior and enhance student safety. Onondaga County Executive J. Ryan McMahon, II, expressed support for the initiative, stating it will hold drivers accountable and make roadways safer.
The program will be funded through fines collected from violations, with no upfront costs to the county or school districts. Verra Mobility's technology has shown a significant reduction in traffic violations in other areas, with 98 percent of drivers not repeating offenses after receiving a ticket. The company will also conduct a public awareness campaign to educate the community about the dangers of passing stopped school buses.
The stop arm cameras are expected to be in place by the next school year, as reported by Spectrum Local News. The program reflects a commitment to student safety and aims to foster a culture of accountability within the community.