School bus (Credit: LevittownNow.com)
Families in Upper Dublin will soon see a major safety upgrade on local school buses.
Starting Oct. 20, all 30 Upper Dublin School District buses will be outfitted with photo enforcement cameras designed to catch drivers who illegally pass stopped buses — a violation that puts children at risk.
The initiative is a collaboration between the school district, Upper Dublin Township, the Upper Dublin Police Department, and BusPatrol, a safety technology company. The cameras will capture vehicles that fail to stop for flashing red lights and extended stop arms, with video reviewed by local law enforcement before tickets are issued.
“We are pleased to partner with Upper Dublin Township and the Upper Dublin Police Department to bring the BusPatrol program to our community,” said Superintendent Dr. Laurie Smith. “Student safety is our highest priority, and this initiative strengthens the enforcement of existing laws that help prevent dangerous driving around school buses.”
The launch follows an education and awareness campaign aimed at reminding drivers of school bus safety laws and teaching students how to safely get on and off the bus. State law requires motorists to stop at least 10 feet from a bus when its red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended. Each violation carries a $300 fine.
Justin Meyers, President and Chief Innovation Officer at BusPatrol, said the program has proven results: “In other communities, the use of this technology has reduced instances of motorists recklessly disregarding school bus stop signs by over 40%. This significant reduction demonstrates how our program effectively changes behavior and contributes to safer roadways. We look forward to working with the Upper Dublin School District to make roads safer for all students.”
Illegal passes remain a serious concern nationwide. Each school year, buses are passed unlawfully an estimated 45.2 million times. During PennDOT’s recent Operation Safe Stop — a one-day enforcement and education effort — participating districts recorded 131 violations, down from 177 the previous year.
With the new cameras, Upper Dublin officials hope to prevent close calls and make daily bus rides safer for students. “Stopping for school buses isn’t just the law — it’s about protecting our children,” the district said.
Residents can learn more about the program at udsd.org/buspatrol
