Lawmakers, District Seek to Install Stop-Arm Cameras on School Buses
Lawmakers in Nashville, Tennessee, and officials from Rockaway (N.J.) Township School District are working to install stop-arm cameras on school buses as a way to crack down on illegal school bus passing incidents.
ROCKAWAY TOWNSHIP, N.J. and NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Lawmakers in Tennessee and a school district in New Jersey are working to install stop-arm cameras on school buses as a way to capture motorists who illegally pass stopped school buses.
State representative Jason Hodges introduced a new bill that would allow schools to add cameras on school buses as a way to catch motorists that drive past stopped school buses, News Channel 5 reports.
Hodges, who is co-sponsoring HB0268, told the news source that illegal school bus passing is a problem for many school districts in Nashville, Tennessee, and that the bill would allow schools to make the decision on whether to install the cameras on buses and how many.
If the cameras capture motorists in the act, the footage would then be turned over to local police, and the money from the fine would go back to the school, partly to help pay for the camera equipment, according to News Channel 5.
The bill has currently been assigned to the House Safety and Funding Subcommittee, according to the state’s general assembly website.
Meanwhile, officials from Rockaway Township School District told Morristown Daily Record that the district approved the stop-arm cameras to address the ongoing issue of distracted motorists that drive pass stopped school buses with their red lights flashing. Once the cameras are installed, they will be able to record vehicles that fail to stop for buses, and police will be able to use that information to mail out a summons, according to the news source.
Councilman Jack Quinn told Morristown Daily Record that the school board is working with the Rockaway Township Police Department and the city’s administration to install the cameras. James McLaughlin, the superintendent for the district, added that he anticipates there will be several locations that the district will focus on, and they will use input from bus drivers to determine which buses will be equipped with cameras first.
In the meantime, Martin McParland, the police chief for Rockaway Township Police Department, and McLaughlin told the news source that they are encouraging bus drivers to take note of license plate numbers and descriptions of vehicles. McParland added that they are also urging bus drivers to sign the proper complaints for identifying offending vehicles. The buses with cameras are expected to be on the road in April, Morristown Daily Record reports.
More Safety

From Reactive to Proactive: Making Every Ride Visible
Smart technology only delivers its full value when it works together. See how Catalyst connects proven industry platforms to move student transportation from reactive to proactive.
Read More →
HAAS Alert’s Safety Cloud Warns Motorists of Stopped School Buses
Through a transponder or Samsara connection, the product lets school bus fleets send advance warnings to approaching drivers through in-vehicle alerts.
Read More →
HopSkipDrive Reports Progress on Safety Advisory Council
More than a year after forming the council, independent safety experts have helped shape new rider-safety features and policy progress, with a new goal to address rider behavior.
Read More →
What the 2026 National School Bus Safety Month Resolution Means for Student Transportation
The bipartisan resolution highlights illegal school bus passing, student safety during loading and unloading, and the need for driver training and public education.
Read More →
School Bus Stop-Arm Violations Decline 53% Across Verra Mobility Programs
Verra Mobility shares how school bus stop-arm cameras and school zone safety programs are changing driver behavior, reducing violations, and protecting students.
Read More →
Most Bus Crashes Aren’t Your Fault. Here’s How to Prove It.
A guide for what to do in between a school bus crash and a claim: what to preserve, who to notify, and how to keep the facts available when they matter.
Read More →
National School Bus Safety Week 2026: Tips, Toolkits & Resources to Keep Students Safe
School bus safety takes more than awareness. Explore expert tips, enforcement strategies, and free resources to help protect students on every ride.
Read More →
2 Killed, Dozens Injured in Florida School Bus Crash
A multi-vehicle collision caused a Polk County school bus carrying 37 students to overturn on its way to Winter Haven High School.
Read More →
Illegal School Bus Passing Drops 24% in New York Districts
With fewer than 5% of citations involving repeat offenders, Westchester County officials said enforcement, education, and community partnerships are helping change driver behavior.
Read More →
School's Back. Here's What Happened to Traffic, Speeding & Distraction
What happens to traffic when school resumes? New data analysis examines changes in distracted driving, congestion, and speeding around schools.
Read More →

