Reckless drivers in Eastchester will be in for a rude awakening beginning on Nov. 17, as newly installed “Stop-Arm” cameras on district buses will be used to identify motorists who pass stopped school transport vehicles, resulting in fines for the offending parties.
Earlier this month, the EUFSD outfitted each of its First Student transports with new cameras from BusPatrol, a Florida-based company dedicated to improving traffic safety by sharing footage of drivers who pass stopped school buses with law enforcement groups. Many believe that the ensuing fines and tickets received by those who flout the law will do much to curb a rise in dangerous driving that puts students and school staff at risk.
Data collected by traffic safety watchdogs estimates that there were 45 million illegal school bus passings last year in the United States, creating a significant safety concern among school administrators and parents across the nation.
Kristene Reichard, Eastchester’s Supervisor of Transportation, said that the partnership between the district and BusPatrol is a natural—and vital—step toward ensuring the safety of students and staff on their way to and from school. As one of the first districts in Westchester County to avail itself of BusPatrol technology, Reichard said that Eastchester is on the cutting edge of a potentially life-saving movement.
“This seemed like an obvious partnership, so when we had the opportunity to have the cameras installed, we jumped at the chance,” said Reichard. “This is a wonderful tool that will hopefully curb some dangerous behavior on the road.”
Over the next two weeks, drivers who pass stopped school buses will receive warnings in the mailt. After Nov. 17, however, traffic violations caught by the school bus cameras will result in fines and tickets for unwitting drivers.
Kate Spree, the Public Relations & Communications Director for BusPatrol, said that the company—which was founded in 2017—has since expanded its operations into 16 states as bus safety has become an important issue facing municipalities and school districts across the nation.
“Over the last few years, we’ve seen governments and school districts turning to technology in order to make the roads safer,” said Spree. “With BusPatrol and other companies joining with more and more districts and states passing new regulations, we’re definitely seeing a growing interest in this problem.”
In addition to the “Stop-Arm” cameras, BusPatrol has also installed new internal cameras in each bus, which will better allow administrators to review any incidents that may occur while the school buses are in transit. EUFSD Superintendent Dr. Ronald Valenti said the partnership with BusPatrol is a win-win for the district that aligns with the district’s first strategic priority, improving school security for both staff and students.
“For years, this has been an aspect of school security that has been overlooked by administrators across the country, ” said Valenti. “By utilizing the BusPatrol technology—with both the internal and external cameras—we are better able to ensure the safety of our students and that is so important."
Also of note, the installation of the cameras and participation in the program comes at no cost to the district, as BusPatrol does not charge schools for use of its equipment, but instead keeps a percentage of the fines levied by local law enforcement agencies.
Dr. Valenti believes the partnership with BusPatrol will continue to benefit the district, much like the way the district’s partnership with the Town of Eastchester and the Eastchester Police Department has drastically strengthened on-campus school security.
“These relationships make all the difference in the world for our district,” said Dr. Valenti. “The fact that we have this technology on the buses, plus the fact that we have four School Resource Officers on our campuses, shows the level of cooperation that goes into improving safety for our students and staff.”
