Westchester County Executive George Latimer and the Board of Legislators (BOL) have proposed legislation supporting safety cameras for school buses. In an announcement on April 5th, 2023, Latimer and BOL Chair Catherine Borgia described the need for this new program.
Installing cameras on school buses is a practical, simple way to protect our children’s safety. Let’s make the roads safer for everyone, starting with our most vulnerable passengers.
Catherine Borgia
This county-wide program will make funding available to local school districts to install and maintain safety cameras on school buses. When an agreement is made between the district and county, any buses–either owned by the district or privately–can participate in this “photo violation monitoring system.”
These cameras are meant to enforce an existing state law. The law entitled, “Owner liability for failure of operator to stop for a school bus displaying a red visual signal and stop-arm” can fine school bus drives if they fail to properly stop when required.
Schedule of fines
- $250 for a first violation.
- $275 for a second violation committed within 18 months of the first violation.
- $300 for a third violation or subsequent violation all of which were committed within 18 months from the first violation.
- An additional penalty of $25 for each violation for the failure to respond to a notice of liability within the prescribed time period.
Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano made reference to this program in his recent “State of the City” address. Only a few months ago in January, two students were struck by a school bus. Royal Coach, the privately-operated bus company, terminated employment of the driver. However, this was only after area security camera footage showed him not yielding during a turn on Warburton avenue. The driver also paused after the accident, but then fled the scene.
Incidents like this may be prevented, or at least further punished, by the implementation of school bus safety cameras. Further information on this program and its timeline is forthcoming. Though, such a popular idea has a broad support and County Executive Latimer appears to be committed to this effort.
I look forward to continuing our great partnership with the Westchester County Board of Legislators to improve the safety conditions on our roads for school buses and school children.
George Latimer
