NORTH HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP, Pa. — The North Huntingdon Township Police Department has partnered with Norwin School District and BusPatrol to address the ongoing problem of drivers illegally passing stopped school buses. The initiative, launched in October, uses new enforcement technology to automatically detect and record license plates of vehicles that ignore school bus stop signs, a violation that endangers students.
Each bus in the Norwin fleet is now equipped with stop-arm cameras that capture video evidence of vehicles failing to stop for buses with flashing red lights and extended stop arms. The footage is reviewed by local law enforcement before citations are issued to the vehicle’s owner. “This technology is intended to improve student safety and hold drivers accountable,” North Huntingdon officials said in a statement.
Under Pennsylvania’s School Bus Stopping Law, drivers must stop at least 10 feet away from a school bus with red lights flashing and the stop arm extended. Violators face significant penalties: a first-time offense captured by the stop-arm cameras incurs a $300 civil fine, though it does not affect the driver’s record. In cases where law enforcement issues a citation directly, drivers face a 60-day license suspension, five points on their driving record, and a $250 fine.
Norwin School District is implementing these safety upgrades at no cost to the district or local taxpayers. The five-year contract with BusPatrol ensures that the technology, installation, and maintenance costs are fully funded through revenue generated by fines.
The program’s launch includes a warning period, which extends through November 14, during which time drivers observed committing violations may receive warnings instead of fines. However, officials have stated that serious or flagrant violations may still result in immediate penalties during this grace period.
This initiative underscores a broader effort in Pennsylvania to strengthen school bus safety enforcement, aiming to deter dangerous driving behavior around school buses and protect young students as they travel to and from school.