Cameras seem to be reducing numbers of stop-arm violations
Cameras on New Prague School District school buses can capture images of motorists running school bus stop arms in clear, living color. The images are forwarded to law enforcement where a citation may be issued. (John Mueller photo)
If you run a school bus stop sign, local police, the state patrol or sheriff’s deputies will likely see it in living color.
A year ago, the New Prague School District’s new bus camera equipment recorded 84 vehicles running stop arms from school buses during the 2022-23 school year. All 84 were forwarded to law enforcement agencies. About half of them resulted in citations issued, said Tim Dvorak, the New Prague School District’s lead mechanic. He’s been tasked with tracking the number of violations caught on camera.
The 84 is significant when compared to five reports of motorists who ran school bus stop arms in 2021-22. There was one reported violation in both 2020-21 and 2019-20.
Dvorak said bus drivers seldom see the violators because they are focused on the students getting out of the bus or those boarding it to make sure they avoid a dangerous area around the bus.
“They don’t see it because they are doing what they are supposed to do, paying attention to the kids,” said Dvorak, who also drives a route when needed. “The cameras are doing what they’re supposed to do.”
Thirteen days into the 2023-24 school year, the cameras have recorded three violations. Thirteen days into the 2022- 23 school year last year, the cameras had captured...
To see more on this story pick up the September 14, 2023 print edition of The New Prague Times.
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