News & Events

PGCPS Adds Ticket Cameras To Buses, Hopes To Catch Violators

From Patch.com
BY Jacob Baumgart, Patch Staff
April 15, 2021

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Prince George's County Public Schools installed ticket cameras on all 1,216 of its buses. When drivers pass a school bus with its stop sign extended, the Prince George's County Police Department will automatically mail them a $250 ticket.

The system kicked off when hybrid learners returned to school on April 8. The cameras capture 180 degrees and up to eight lanes of traffic.

Neither PGCPS nor taxpayers have to pay for the technology. The initiative will fund itself through its own fine revenue.

"As operators of one of the largest school bus fleets in the nation, we are constantly exploring new ways to ensure safe and dependable student transportation," PGCPS CEO Monica Goldson said in a press release. "The new stop-arm cameras that will capture video of traffic violations are just one way we are leveraging technology to improve student safety both on and off of school buses."

The cloud-connected operation will also help the school system enforce coronavirus regulations. Interior cameras will monitor distancing. Ridership cards will aid contact tracing. And virtual checklists will hold bus drivers to sanitization schedules.

This interface comes from BusPatrol. It uses software from Zonar, Samsung and Transfinder.

"School buses in Prince George's County have been off roads for several weeks and drivers may have forgotten the importance of school bus safety laws," said Jean Souliere, the CEO and Founder of BusPatrol. "There is no better time to launch a school bus safety program to protect students and educate motorists."

Maryland law requires drivers in both directions to halt while buses have their lights flashing and stop signs out. This keeps students safe as they board and leave the bus.

The U.S. sees about 17 million stop-arm violations each year, The National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services reported.