Nearly a year after enforcement was halted over transparency concerns, Miami-Dade County Public Schools is restarting its BusPatrol school bus camera program under new rules.

On May 1, Miami-Dade County Public Schools in Florida announced the relaunch of the school bus infraction detection program in partnership with BusPatrol, including a renewed agreement with the child safety technology provider for up to an additional 10 years.

According to a release, the safety program uses AI-powered stop-arm cameras installed on nearly 900 school buses in Miami-Dade to detect potential violations when a driver illegally passes a school bus with the stop-arm deployed. Cameras are positioned to capture the license plates of vehicles that illegally pass school buses, along with video of the infraction.

The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office will review footage captured by the stop-arm cameras to determine whether to issue a violation by mail under new parameters.

Reforms Bring Greater Transparency to Camera Enforcement in Miami

Under the leadership of Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz, Florida has strengthened its child safety laws statewide and clarified the adjudication process through the unanimous amendment of Florida Statute s. 316.173.

The updated law now ensures that registered owners have a clear and accessible path to contest violation notices through a virtual administrative hearing process, including the option to participate in person. Hearings will be administered by the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings.

These changes follow action taken last year. Sheriff Cordero-Stutz called for suspending program enforcement after identifying concerns about due process and failed administrative procedures, which “drove the reforms that are now in place.”

“All outstanding citations issued during the affected period have been dismissed,” highlighted Sheriff Cordero-Stutz. “After identifying issues in April 2025 with the school bus infraction detection program, I made the decision to suspend enforcement. […] My focus from this point on is ensuring this child safety program operates with accountability, transparency, and a clear commitment to public trust.”

The program resumed on May 4, with a two-week warning period during which vehicle owners who illegally pass stopped school buses will receive warning letters by mail. No civil penalties will be assessed against the registered owners during the warning period. A public awareness campaign is also planned to educate drivers on the state law and “remind them of their responsibilities on the road.”

Beginning May 18, live enforcement will begin, with violators subject to a $225 civil penalty under Florida law.

How Stop-Arm Enforcement is Proven to Change Driver Behavior

According to the release, stop-arm enforcement programs are “statistically proven to change driver behavior,” as evidenced by BusPatrol’s program data, which shows that over 90% of drivers who receive a first-time violation do not repeat the offense.

Other BusPatrol programs in Florida have seen reductions in violations per bus per day since their launch.

“We do not compromise when it comes to student safety,” said Dr. Jose L. Dotres, superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools. “We are confident in this program and the role it plays in protecting students at the bus stop.”

In addition to stop-arm enforcement cameras, BusPatrol provides the Miami-Dade school bus fleet with additional features to enhance student and driver safety. This includes 360-degree safety cameras inside and outside the bus, GPS tracking, and emergency response solutions.