Nine Oneida County school districts equipped with bus arm-stop cameras
Oneida County launched a special program Monday to help catch drivers who illegally pass a stopped school bus.
According to state law, it is illegal for motorists to pass a stopped school bus, yet; this is a daily occurrence by the hundreds, creating added risk for school students.
"Our priority is to keep our students safe, and this program is an important component of our traffic safety efforts,” said Sheriff Rob Maciol. He was among various officials who spoke Monday at a press conference in Sauquoit Valley.
“This new technology will, no doubt, enhance the safety of our community by protecting students when they are most vulnerable entering and exiting the school bus.”
"Oneida County is committed to protecting the safety of our children through all available means," said Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. said.
"That's why we created a law that will allow our school districts to use cameras to catch drivers who dangerously pass stopped school buses and then ticket and fine them. I'm glad that this program is ready to launch and I look forward to working with the Sheriff's Office and Verra Mobility to ensure that these deeds never go unpunished."
A total of nine school districts throughout Oneida County will be equipped with new bus arm stop cameras, thanks to a program partnership with Verra Mobility.
Adirondack and Holland Patent are among them here locally. Full list below:
- New York Mills School District
- New Hartford Central School District
- Rome City School District
- Sauquoit Valley Central School District
- Westmoreland Central School District
- Whitesboro Central School District
- Waterville Central School District
- Holland Patent Central School District
- Adirondack Central School District
Up to 32,000 students in Oneida County can be transported to and from school in school buses every day. As part of the county's partnership with Verra Mobility, a total of 191 school buses will be equipped with school bus stop-arm safety cameras.
Through June 12, drivers will be issued warnings during a 35-day total grace period within these nine districts, but after that expires, tickets will start arriving via mail address to owners of vehicles caught passing a stopped school bus.
In 2019, the New York Legislature passed legislation to permit schools to equip their buses with camera technology to catch drivers who illegally drive by school buses when they stop to pick up or drop off students.
Fines range from $250 for a first offense and up to $1,000 for drivers caught three times within three-years, which can lead to a license repeal for six-months.
Image via the Oneida County Sheriff's Office.
