Dearborn Schools To Use Cameras for School Bus Stop-Arm Violations

Dearborn Public Schools will activate stop-arm cameras on district buses starting Jan. 19. Drivers who pass stopped school buses will get tickets. The program links the district with BusPatrol and the City of Dearborn.

Cameras activate when a bus stops and warning lights flash. They snap license plate images of cars that don't stop when the stop arm swings out. The Dearborn Police Department checks each recorded violation before sending a ticket to the registered vehicle owner.

Michigan law says drivers must stop at least 20 feet from a school bus showing flashing red lights and a stop sign. Fines run between $100 and $500. Violators might also have to perform up to 100 hours of community service at a school.

The district will pay for this through shared citation revenue instead of school dollars, according to Michigan News Source.

Dearborn is the first city in Michigan to put cameras on school buses for this purpose. This technology aims to stop drivers from breaking school bus safety laws and prevent child injuries at bus stops.

The new camera system gives law enforcement documented proof of violations that often go unpunished. This enforcement method works like red-light cameras at intersections. Each recorded incident includes video footage and license plate data.

School bus safety laws can confuse some drivers. But one rule stays clear: if a school bus stops with its arm extended, all traffic must stop.