Hilton CSD announces start of warning period of school bus camera safety program

The Hilton Central School District has started a warning period for the rollout as part of the Monroe County School Bus Safety Program. The warning period began on Monday, October 16, which coincided with the beginning of National School Bus Safety Week.

The school bus safety program will begin issuing citations on November 15 to motorists who illegally pass a stopped school bus in violation of state law. The enforcement action follows a 30-day warning period that will feature a robust public awareness campaign educating residents of school bus safety laws along with the installation of five road signs in high violation areas.

“By taking in the lead in joining the Monroe County School Bus Safety Program, the Hilton Central School District is sending a clear message: the safety of our children is non-negotiable,” said Monroe County Executive Adam Bello. “Thank you to Bus Patrol for their partnership, and to Hilton Central and all the other Monroe County school districts who have signed on to participate in this program, which will ensure our kids are safer as they walk to and from their school buses.”

During the warning period, any motorist who fails to stop for a school bus when its red lights are flashing, and the stop-arm is extended will receive a warning letter in the mail about the violation with no monetary penalty. Additionally, there will be a public education and awareness campaign to remind residents to stop for the school bus as required by New York state law. This includes the installation of road signs in high violation areas.

“I can think of no better way to reinforce the importance of student safety than kicking off this program during National School Bus Safety Week,” said Karoon Monfared, CEO of BusPatrol. “The Hilton School District is leading the way forward to deter illegal school bus passings, and we’re reminding every motorist to slow down and stop for the bus.”

In total, HCSD has installed 81 school buses with the most advanced camera technology, with other school districts in the process of installing their school fleet. Altogether, 419 buses throughout Monroe County will be equipped with the same safety technology. This upgrade includes stop-arm cameras to help communities enforce school bus-stopping laws, which capture the license plates of vehicles that violate these laws. The technology, installation, and maintenance are provided at no cost to the school district or taxpayers.

The partnership with Monroe County follows the success of BusPatrol’s signature programs in other corners around the state, including Albany County, Dutchess County, Suffolk County, Rensselaer County, and the City of Niagara Falls.

The National Association of State Director of Pupil Transportation announced that the rate of school bus illegal passings is at an epidemic level. Survey results suggest that school buses are illegally passed more than 41.8 million times per year in the United States. In New York State, school buses are illegally passed 50,000 times each school day, putting children at risk as they step on and off the bus.
It is illegal to pass a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing pursuant to New York State law. Traffic approaching from either direction must stop before reaching the bus either on a two-lane road, multi-lane highways, or on divided highways. A first-time stop-arm violation carries a fine of $250. Subsequence violations within an 18-month period are subject to a $25 increase, up to a maximum of $300.

Resources and more information about Monroe County’s stop-arm camera safety program can be found at http://www.monroecounty.gov/school-bus-safety.

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