School bus manufacturer Blue Bird Corp. has entered into a distribution agreement with Redflex Student Guardian.

Under the agreement, the Redflex Student Guardian stop-arm camera system is available from all Blue Bird dealers throughout North America, according to Blue Bird President and CEO Phil Horlock.  

“Safety is behind every design and manufacturing initiative at Blue Bird,” Horlock said. “This valuable effort with Redflex provides school districts and contractors with an additional resource in further ensuring student safety, with the notable and unique element of integrated enforcement.”

The Redflex Student Guardian system monitors and automatically detects drivers who illegally pass school buses while students are loading and unloading. The cameras are installed on the front and rear driver’s side of a school bus and are triggered to capture data when a vehicle passes the bus while the stop arm is extended and the bus’ lights are flashing.

Officials said that Redflex Traffic Systems, the parent company of Redflex Student Guardian, reviews the data, including photos and video of the incident, and then places the data into an electronic evidence file. Local law enforcement officers review the evidence to determine whether a citation is warranted.

“This swift procedure is seamless for districts and contractors, as all steps of this process are handled by Redflex,” said Thomas O’Connor, president of Redflex Student Guardian. “This is truly a turnkey program.”

“It’s unrealistic to think law enforcement officers can patrol hundreds of school bus routes on their own every day,” O’Connor added. “Not only do the safety cameras monitor and deter drivers from breaking the law, they raise community awareness about school bus safety in general.”

Student Guardian can be operated at no cost to taxpayers and without any upfront capital investment from cities, school districts or contractors, officials said. The Student Guardian program is fully funded by violations.

“Photo enforcement is one of the most effective ways to curb illegal school bus passing, while also holding violators accountable,” said Karen Finley, president and CEO of Redflex Traffic Systems. “Student Guardian serves as a constant reminder for drivers to stop behind every school bus and make sure those students are safe.”

For more information about stop-arm enforcement and Student Guardian, visit www.redflexstudentguardian.com or contact a local Blue Bird dealer.

Other news related to Blue Bird and Redflex:

• Blue Bird reveals factory training dates for 2013

• Redflex acquires safety camera program