School Bus Stop-Arm Cameras Coming To Nassau County

NASSAU COUNTY, NY — The Nassau County Legislature has approved three measures that will start the county's program to install school bus cameras to help protect children.

The drive to install school bus cameras was led by Legislators Siela Bynoe and arnold Drucker, who introduced legislation in 2019 that opted the county in to a state law that permits the installation of cameras on the stop sign arms mounted on school buses. The cameras will record drivers who pass by stopped buses, which endangers children getting on and off the bus.

The new measures approved this week will allow Verra Mobility to install the cameras for school districts that opt into the program. It will also establish a 60-day, no-penalty warning period to educate drivers. After that period, fines for passing buses will be $250 for the first violation, and then $275 and $300 for second and third violations committed within 18 months of the first.

The measures also prohibit the county from imposing a "public safety fee" or "driver responsibility fee" on top of the fines.

“Nassau County has declared in one clear and unified voice that it has zero tolerance for motorists who make the dangerously selfish decision to pass a stopped school bus,” Drucker said in a statement. “Through an approach that emphasizes education, deterrence and enforcement as part of a comprehensive plan, the Legislature has taken an important step toward protecting families and children in every corner of our County. I applaud Legislator Bynoe for her leadership in bringing this life-saving initiative to fruition.”