SAFE FLEET BLOG

In 2013, twenty-nine participating states reported a whopping 85,279 vehicles illegally passing the school bus in a single day, according to an annual survey organized by the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS).

Many school districts have started investigating stop-arm camera technology to stem this growing problem. But as many districts have discovered, building a successful stop-arm enforcement program isn’t as simple as placing a camera on the side of the bus.

Here are a few steps we recommend to jump-start your own stop-arm camera enforcement program:

Step 1: How big is your problem?

The first step in any successful stop-arm camera solution is exploring how big the problem is in your district. Ask yourself four questions to start off:

1. How many stop-arm violations do my drivers report in a week?
2. Are these reports isolated to a few buses or routes, or is the problem more widespread?
3. Do the violations tend to happen in the AM or PM runs?
4. Do most violations occur from vehicles travelling in the same or opposite direction?

The answers to these questions will allow you to assess the risks involved and provide proof of the problem.

Step 2: Know your state laws

Many states have passed legislation on the use of stop-arm cameras. If state or local laws do not provide for the use of automated cameras on school buses, then work with local law enforcement to understand their requirements for detecting and citing violations.

Step 3: Establish a good relationship with law enforcement

Even if your state has legislation that allows stop-arm cameras, establishing a dialog with local law enforcement early on in the process is important — especially if you want to send tickets to offending drivers. Don’t forget to discuss what documentation and type of image or video is necessary for them to review, approve, and issue a ticket for a stop-arm violation.

Step 4: Choose the right camera system

Once you have law enforcement’s commitment, the next step is selecting the right camera system. Consider your discussion with law enforcement, among other factors.

“There are two key factors in capturing the license plates of vehicles illegally passing a school bus — camera position and image quality,” says Peter Simmons, Director of Marketing at Seon. “Even if you install the cameras in the right position, the camera must be designed to provide high-resolution images, clear enough to capture the license plates of vehicles passing at potentially high speeds.”

Step 5: Install, test, and consult

Once you have purchased your stop-arm camera systems, work with your supplier to install and position your cameras in the best possible locations. Pull sample video of a mock stop-arm violation and create license plate still images to share with your local law enforcement. Make sure that everything satisfies police requirements. Next, run a pilot project to test the cameras in action. Consult all interested parties in the pilot project including police, school board, parents, even the media. Involving them in the beginning, prior to launch, can eliminate any future problems and speed up your program launch.

Step 6: Have a plan to raise public awareness

Now that you’ve installed and tested your cameras, and consulted with all the necessary parties, you should be ready to launch. But creating awareness about your program is just as important as making sure the technology is accurately capturing violations.

Use relationships with the media to inform the public at large about the cameras and existing laws about stopping for school buses. You can also create awareness through posters at the schools or via social media campaigns.

Following these six steps will get you off to the right start with your stop-arm enforcement program, and ensure you remove any potential roadblocks along the way.