Shelton Launches School Bus Safety Program With New BusPatrol Cameras

SHELTON, CT — As the first day of school for Shelton Public Schools approaches this week, the city recently announced the launch of a new school bus safety program in partnership with BusPatrol.

According to a news release provided by BusPatrol, the initiative is designed to protect children as they travel to and from school by curbing the dangerous and illegal motorist behavior of passing stopped school buses.

Starting Tuesday, Shelton Public Schools' fleet of 68 buses will be equipped with BusPatrol's AI-powered stop-arm enforcement technology.

The program will begin with a 30-day warning period, during which vehicle owners who illegally pass stopped school buses will receive warning letters without monetary penalties, according to BusPatrol.

The program will then enter live enforcement Sept. 29, with violators subject to a minimum $250 civil penalty under Connecticut law. Every violation is reviewed by trained municipal staff before a fine is issued, the release notes.

"We're proud to lead the charge as the second city in the state to launch stop-arm enforcement," Mayor Mark Lauretti said in a news release. "This is about one thing: protecting our kids. We're setting the standard for student safety and sending a clear message - passing a stopped school bus is never worth the risk."

The program is provided at zero cost to the city, school district and taxpayers, as BusPatrol covers the upfront investment, including the technology, installation and ongoing maintenance.

The program is also entirely violator-funded, meaning drivers who break the law and put children at risk pay for this important student safety program, according to the release.

"The safety of our students is our top priority at Shelton Public Schools," Superintendent Ken Saranich said in a news release, "and implementing this program will mark a major step in further safeguarding our children as they ride the bus to and from school daily. We are grateful to partner with BusPatrol to enhance student safety and promote safer driving behaviors in our community."

Shelton is the latest city in Connecticut to implement a BusPatrol program, following Bridgeport.

Nearby communities Stratford and Trumbull are also expected to launch the program in the new school year, along with Waterbury, Danbury and New Haven, according to BusPatrol.

"Every day, drivers put kids at risk by blowing past school bus stop-arms," BusPatrol President Justin Meyers said in a news release. "The data shows these programs work. Nine out of ten drivers who receive a violation notice do not do it again. That proves the technology changes driver behavior and makes roads safer. By bringing AI-powered enforcement to Shelton, we are helping the city tackle a public safety issue with a solution that is protecting children nationwide."

Connecticut law requires drivers to stop when a school bus has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended so children can cross the road safely.

This applies on two-lane and multi-lane roads in both directions; the only exception is when traveling on the opposite side of a divided highway with a raised median or barrier, according to the release.