A school bus camera program instituted by Oneida County has resulted in 302 citations for vehicles passing stopped school buses since June 12, the County Sheriff's Office announced Thursday afternoon.
The county partnered with Verra Mobility’s CrossingGuard to introduce the stop-arm program, which captures on video vehicles that pass stopped buses on roadways in eight participating school districts.
Videos and license plate images are reviewed by the sheriff’s office, which issues tickets. It's designed to promote public safety and remind motorists to stop when school buses flash their lights and extend their stop-arms.
"The number of school buses being passed in Oneida County is concerning as it puts the safety of the children at risk," the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
It urged motorists to “stop on red, kids ahead."
Nearly 200 school buses in the county are equipped with the cameras. According to the sheriff's office, the number of violations in the eight districts since June include:
- Holland Patent – 14 citations issued
- New Hartford – 51 citations issued
- New York Mills – 42 citations issued
- Rome City – 33 citations
- Sauquoit Valley – 13 citations issued
- Waterville – 16 citations issued
- Westmoreland – 33 citations issued
- Whitesboro – 100 citations issued
The fine for passing a school bus ranges from $250 for a first violation, to a maximum of $1,000 for three violations in three years. A vehicle owner convicted of three violations in three years can have their driver’s license revoked for at least six months.
For information on the school bus safety program, contact (315) 765-2224, or visit the sheriff’s office website.
