New School Bus Safety Technology Coming, Motorists Warned: PD

BENSALEM, PA - In partnership with Bensalem police, the Bensalem Township School District has launched a school bus safety program to keep students safer en route to school, officials said.

All school buses in the district will be equipped with safety technology – including stop-arm enforcement cameras designed to detect vehicles that illegally pass stopped school buses – as of this upcoming school year.

The penalties for passing a school bus with the stop arm deployed and red lights flashing will be a $300 civil penalty, Bensalem police said.

The initiative was announced at a press conference at Cornwells Elementary School by Mayor Joseph DiGirolamo, School Superintendent Dr. Samuel Lee and Director of Public Safety William McVey.

If the violation is determined by the police department after a review of video evidence, the owner/driver will receive a citation with a $250 fine, five points on their driving record and an automatic 60-day suspension of their driving privileges upon conviction, Bensalem police added.

“The majority of Street Road through Bensalem Township is a two lane roadway in each direction with a center turning lane with no physical barrier,” the police department said in a statement. “This means that ALL traffic should stop in both directions when a school bus is stopped with its warning signals activated. These violations WILL be cited utilizing this new technology.”

“The safety of our children is very important to the Bensalem Township School District and the Bensalem Township Police Department,” the police department added.