New Cameras Would Catch Motorists Who Pass School Buses [VIDEO]

Anyone who thinks of passing a school bus that is picking up or dropping off children might want to reconsider. The school system is exploring ways to catch such lawbreakers.

The board agreed Thursday night to seek a contract with a company that installs cameras on buses that can capture the cars of violators, which are then used to prosecute the drivers.

“What we offer is not just a camera system, but we offer a system that works with law enforcement from start to finish,” said Alfred Cardi, regional sales manager for RedFlex Traffic Systems, which has worked with school districts in six states and 12 municipalities in Connecticut to implement its Student Guardian camera program.

“Our entire goal is to keep kids safer as they enter and exit the school bus,” he said.

The Student Guardian program is a photo enforcement solution designed to make school bus stops safer for children by helping people enforce laws against driving passed a stopped school bus, according to the company’s website. (See more about the program in a short video from the company above.)

The cameras monitor four lanes of traffic and pick up cars traveling up to 50 mph. They would be installed on eight school buses, or 20 percent, in Naugatuck. If they catch drivers passing a stopped school bus the company passes along the information to police officers, who can ticket drivers $465 for every violation. The company said it has a 98 percent conviction rate for people who try to fight the charges, as its hard to argue with the camera, Cardi said.

Of the violation money generated, Red Flex collects about half, while the borough would receive about 27 percent and the state would get about 19 percent, Cardi said.

The cameras come at no cost to the school district as money generated from violations is used to pay for the cost of installation and upkeep.

While the school board approved the cameras, the Police Commission and the Board of Mayor and Burgesses must also approve them before they are implemented.