Westchester Introduces Law to Authorize School Bus Cameras

WHITE PLAINS, NY — A bill to allow Westchester County to work with local school districts to increase safety for school children was introduced.

County Executive George Latimer and Board of Legislators Chairwoman Catherine Borgia proposed the legislation that imposes fines for a driver failing to comply with school bus stop signals and stop arms.

Latimer said he was looking forward to partnering with the Board of Legislators to improve the safety conditions on the roads for school buses and school children.

“The safety of our school children is paramount to all of us in government,” he said.

Borgia said that installing cameras on school bus stop signs is a practical, simple way to protect children.

“Let’s make the roads safer for everyone, starting with our most vulnerable passengers,” she said.

Under the law, the county will be authorized to enter into agreements with school districts for the installation, maintenance and use of school bus photo violation monitoring systems. Each school district located within the county that would like to utilize the program must enter into an agreement with the county. Once a school district has entered into an agreement, cameras will be installed on the external portion of school buses owned or operated by that school district or privately owned and operated. The county will cover the costs of the program.

A driver who violates the new law will be liable for the following monetary penalties:

• $250 for a first violation
• $275 for a second violation committed within 18 months of the first violation
• $300 for a third violation or subsequent violation all of which were committed within 18 months from the first violation
• An additional penalty of $25 for each violation for the failure to respond to a notice of liability within the prescribed time period

The penalties will not be counted as a “conviction” on a driver’s record nor will be used for motor vehicle insurance purposes.