Stop arm cameras were installed on all East Greenbush CSD school buses this winter in an effort to improve school bus safety.

In the first 10 days of utilizing stop arm cameras on school buses, 77 drivers were ticketed for illegally passing an East Greenbush CSD bus, according to a Transportation Department report.

Each of the instances were recorded by new stop arm cameras that were installed on buses this past winter in an effort to improve school bus safety.

The 77 violations occurred between April 5 and April 26, which included just 10 school days due to Spring Recess.

Each of the violations come with a $250 fine which is mailed to the driver.

“The Stop Arm Camera program is new in its implementation,” said Superintendent Jeff Simons. “We are hoping that the program will serve as a deterrent to motorists that passing a school bus when the lights are flashing and the stop arm is engaged is illegal and puts our students at risk.”   

The stop arm cameras were installed by Bus Patrol, at no cost to the district, to monitor for motorists who illegally pass school buses.

Illegally passing school buses has been a safety issue for years across the state and it can have tragic consequences. It puts students in danger if they are getting on or off a bus or crossing the street.

The Transportation Department has been reviewing the stop arm camera report from April and has identified specific locations where there were a high number of violations. That information has been passed along to law enforcement for increased patrols. 

“Students are most at-risk when approaching or leaving the school bus,” said Transportation Administrator Dr. Wanda McQueen. “The stop arm cameras are a valuable tool in improving bus safety. Motorists can help keep our children safe by using caution when approaching a school bus and stopping whenever the red lights are flashing.”

Adding stop arm cameras to the East Greenbush CSD bus fleet has been a collaborative effort between the school district, its Board of Education and Rensselaer County.

Monthly reports will be evaluated by the Transportation Department on an ongoing basis. The May report is expected later this month.

School Bus Safety Tips for Other Motorists

• Yellow lights mean the bus is going to stop. Slow down!
• Red lights mean students are getting on or off the bus. Stop your vehicle!
  • It is illegal to pass a stopped school bus when the large red lights located on top of the bus are flashing. Flashing lights mean the bus is picking up or dropping off students.
  • You must stop whether you are approaching the school bus from the front or overtaking it from the rear.
  • You must always stop for flashing red lights, even on divided and multi-lane highways and in school parking lots.
• The first-time fine for illegally passing a school bus is a $250 fine.