Caught On Camera: City Ordinance Would Outfit Cameras On School Buses

NEW HAVEN, CT — Every school day, 330 school buses transport over 17,400 students to and from schools in New Haven.

Acting on the 2024 state public act that enables municipalities to use school bus violation detection, monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, a proposed new city ordinance is aimed at "encouraging responsible driving and protecting students entering and exiting school buses." Through the installation of automated monitoring systems and cameras on school buses, the issuance of $250 tickets for illegal passings of stopped school buses.

Acting on the 2024 state public act, New Haven proposes new city ordinance is aimed at "encouraging responsible driving and protecting students entering and exiting school buses."

Monday, Mayor Justin Elicker was joined by Transportation Director Sandeep Aysola, New Haven Public Schools' Superintendent Madeline Negrón, and Board of Alders Education Committee Chair Sal Punzo, among other leaders discussed the legislation, the latest initiative in the "city’s ongoing efforts to encourage responsible driving, improve roadway safety, and protect pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable users."

At Monday's news briefing, Elicker said that cameras are a better deal, especially for offenders. Getting stopped by a cop for passing a stooped school bus, Elicker said, is a $475 fine plus driver license points. Caught on camera? It's a $250 fine.

Here's the full ordinance.