North Carolina District Adds Advanced Safety Tech to Buses
Harnett County Schools and the County of Harnett get stop-arm cameras and more.
The Harnett County Schools program adds stop-arm cameras, LTE connectivity, and emergency-response technology to 300 school buses.
Photo courtesy BusPatrol
All 300 buses in North Carolina’s Harnett County Schools are getting upgrades in safety features, including stop-arm cameras, Long-Term Evolution (LTE) connectivity, and emergency-response technology.
The district is working with safety technology company BusPatrol on the new program, which includes cloud-managed, 360-degree safety cameras and stop-arm cameras to deter drivers from illegally passing school buses. The equipment, installation, and maintenance are provided free to the school district, according to BusPatrol.
VIDEO: Maryland District Pilots School Bus Stop-Arm Cameras
Dr. Aaron Fleming, superintendent of Harnett County Schools, said student safety is paramount and that he’s proud to have BusPatrol as a partner.
Harnett County
Source: Google Maps
“Our students’ safety starts and ends with a bus ride, and parents put their trust in our hands,” Fleming said.
Jean Souliere, chief executive officer and founder of BusPatrol, said the Harnett County project is an exciting milestone as it marks the first such program in North Carolina.
“Our goal is to create a reflex in drivers, so that every time they see a school bus on the roads, they slow down and prepare to stop,” Souliere said.
According to reports, more than 3,000 drivers illegally pass school buses every day in North Carolina, putting children at risk. The penalty for first-time violators, by state law, is $400.
More Safety
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 →
FMCSA Names New Chief Safety Officer: What School Bus Operators Should Know
Steve Dowling is set to lead the federal agency's efforts to advance commercial motor vehicle safety and reduce crashes, fatalities, and injuries on the nation's roadways.
Read More →