ALBANY, N.Y. - Schools in New York state can now install cameras on the stop arms of school buses to catch motorists who put students at risk.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the change into law Tuesday. The Democrat says no parents should have to worry about their children's safety during their rides to school.
State transportation officials estimate that motorists illegally pass stopped school buses tens of thousands of times each day in the state. In 2018, during a one-day crackdown on the problem, police issued more than 850 tickets.
The camera would be on stop sign arms that would extend automatically whenever a bus stops. Drivers caught on camera passing a stopped bus would face $250 fines.
"It's getting people to be more aware that there's a problem out there. We've been trying to get this passed for quite some time, and it's finally gone to the next level. We're ready to move on, and so with the Governor signing this it's an important piece to continue our efforts to make the bus a safer for everybody," said Craig Manderville, Director of Transportation for the Sauquoit Valley School District.
75 local officials wrote to lawmakers earlier this year urging them to pass the measure.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
