The Steelton-Highspire School District is rolling out new technology to improve safety on school bus routes.
Every bus will now include photo equipment that can capture images of license plates from vehicles that ignore stop signs.
When these violations happen, the district will send the evidence to local police.
“Keeping our students safe is our main goal,” said Superintendent Dr. Mick Isrick Jr. “With Bus Patrol on our buses, we are taking a big step to protect our kids. This technology makes sure that drivers face consequences for their actions, making the roads safer for students going to and from school. Plus, we’re funding this without costing taxpayers a dime, showing our strong commitment to student safety.”
It’s a serious issue. In Pennsylvania, there were nearly 200 violations in just one day in 2023. Over a whole school year, that adds up to about 31,500 violations.
Justin Meyers from BusPatrol explained that similar initiatives in other places have led to a 40% drop in drivers ignoring school bus signals. “This shows that our program can really change how people drive and help keep roads safe for children. We’re excited to partner with Steelton-Highspire to enhance safety for all students,” he said.
PennDOT reminds drivers to stop at least 10 feet away from school buses with flashing red lights and extended stop arms.
If caught breaking this rule for the first time, the fine is $300.
This new safety measure will start on January 24th.
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Steelton-Highspire SD,Photo technology,Illegal passing,Student safety,Bus Patrol,Local law enforcement,School buses,Safety initiative
