Cameras on SoWashCo School Buses Capture 51 Violations So Far in 2023

Last year, SoWashCo Schools was awarded a grant to install cameras on 44 buses to help keep our students safe while crossing the street. So far, those cameras have already captured 51 violations since January 1, 2023. 

More than 100 violations were captured from September through December 2022. Drivers who violate the law face a $500 fine and can face additional criminal charges including passing a school bus on the right, passing when a child is outside the bus or injuring a child.

Each bus is equipped with three cameras; one under the stop arm, another near the top rear side of the school bus and one above the entrance door. The bus driver activates the cameras when a vehicle illegally passes the school bus while the stop sign is flashing. The video captures the violator’s license plate, the make and model of the vehicle and the driver which is then submitted to local police departments for investigation.

By the beginning of next school year, all SoWashCo School buses will be equipt with stop-arm cameras, thanks to a grant made available by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety