Stop Arm Cameras Catch Drivers Passing Stopped School Buses in Sidney

Delaware County Sheriff’s officials say cameras mounted on school buses are working to catch drivers illegally passing those vehicles.

Sidney school buses last month captured images of drivers illegally passing while lights were flashing and stop arms extended. Those drivers have been ticketed.

Sheriff’s officials say the School Resource Officer was contacted September 19 by the Sidney Transportation Director about a motorist passing a stopped bus that morning.  Three school days later, the Transportation Director reported another motorist passing a stopped school bus.

Authorities reviewed the surveillance images from the two buses and were able to identify the drivers.

New York State lawmakers only recently passed a measure allowing school districts to opt in to mounting video recording cameras on school bus stop arms to record roadside incidents.

Southern Tier school districts last year reported almost daily incidents of vehicles illegally passing stopped school buses.  While there have been several close calls, so far there have been no deaths or serious injuries resulting from cars passing buses discharging or picking up student passengers.