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

Geotab Expands Fleet Safety Tools With Video Coaching, Risk Insights
New safety and video capabilities aim to help fleet managers assess risk, support drivers, and take targeted action through video coaching, red-light violation detection, and more.
Read More →
How to Build a Better School Bus Driver Training Program
Is it time to strengthen your driver training? Here’s how to pick the right talent and improve recruitment, retention, and safety. This video is brought to you by IC Bus.
Read More →
Recent School Bus Accidents Leave 2 Dead, 2 Injured
Four school bus crashes in Florida, Illinois, and Georgia highlight risks in transportation lots, at bus stops, and during student loading and unloading.
Read More →
When Every Second Matters, Clarity Keeps Routes Moving
From routine delays to urgent incidents, strong communication practices help drivers, dispatchers, schools, and families respond with confidence.
Read More →
What Happens When a School Bus Catches Fire — and What Can Help
School bus fires are rare but can be devastating. Learn how advances in fire suppression and asset protection help fleets detect fires earlier, reduce damage, and improve safety.
Read More →
Geotab Launches Tool to Help Fleets Investigate Road Incidents
Geotab Investigations combines telematics data, video, documents, and other evidence to help fleets reconstruct incidents, resolve claims, and determine what happened.
Read More →
Texas Sixth Grader Wins 2026 National School Bus Safety Poster Contest
Sai Darshana Yekolu of Moseley Middle School in Prosper, Texas, was named the newest winner for her artwork, bringing the theme of “Safe Rides, Everyday Heroes” to life.
Read More →
Doing More With Less: How Transportation Directors Can Prioritize Safety Amid Budget Uncertainty
With diesel prices soaring and nearly one-third of transportation directors expecting budget cuts, maintaining student safety has never been more challenging. Download this guide to learn how leading districts are prioritizing risk, funding critical safety technology, and building stronger budget cases with data.
Read More →
Walton County Schools Adds Gatekeeper Stop-Arm Enforcement System
The Florida district will deploy Gatekeeper’s updated Student Protector technology, which now incorporates AI to improve video evidence.
Read More →
How To Build a More Secure School Bus Yard During and After Hours
As thefts and overnight security threats continue, school transportation leaders are combining stronger operational practices with AI-enabled surveillance to better protect buses, facilities, and staff.
Read More →

