Stop-arm pilot catches nearly 50 violations in 2 months

MANSFIELD, Texas — A stop-arm camera pilot program at Mansfield Independent School District (ISD) captured nearly 50 bus-passing violations in two months.

For the pilot program, American Traffic Solutions (ATS) provided Mansfield ISD with its CrossingGuard school bus stop-arm camera solution to help monitor the extent of the illegal-passing problem. Two buses were equipped with the camera system.

Cameras mounted on the driver’s side of the school bus automatically detect when a vehicle passes the extended stop arm. Images of a vehicle’s license plate and a video showing the violation provide law enforcement with evidence to prosecute the violations.

During Mansfield ISD's pilot program, no warnings or citations were issued.

“School bus stop-arm cameras are being used throughout the country to help law enforcement address the problem of school bus stop-arm running,” said Charles Territo, ATS' senior vice president of communications, marketing and public affairs. “ATS is pleased to partner with Mansfield ISD and schools throughout the country to help bring awareness to the issue and hopefully help change driver behavior.”

The 2012 national stop-arm violation survey, conducted by the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services, found that Texas drivers illegally passed school buses 8,853 times in one day.

Video of violations captured during Mansfield ISD's pilot program can be viewed below.