Enfield Eyes Cameras, $250 Fines For Drivers Passing School Buses

ENFIELD, CT — With students returning to classrooms this week, Enfield officials are considering a camera system designed to catch drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses.

The Town Council is scheduled Monday night to consider setting a Sept. 9 public hearing on an ordinance authorizing a municipal school bus violation enforcement system.

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Under the proposed ordinance, cameras and sensors mounted on school buses would record suspected violations, including the vehicle's license plate and the date, time and location.

The registered owner of a vehicle found passing a stopped school bus would face a $250 civil fine.

A citation would not be issued automatically. A police officer or authorized town employee would first review the images and determine whether there are reasonable grounds to believe a violation occurred.

Vehicle owners would be able to challenge citations through a town hearing process. They could also submit an affidavit identifying the person who was driving at the time of the alleged violation.

The proposal follows a presentation to the council by school bus camera company BusPatrol in May. Councilors later asked town staff to prepare an ordinance for consideration.

State law has allowed Connecticut municipalities to establish automated school bus enforcement programs since 2024. The law requires the $250 fine and directs money collected through the program toward public safety improvements, payments to the company operating the system or both.

The proposed Enfield ordinance does not specify how many buses would receive cameras or when enforcement would begin. A separate agreement would be needed to address the equipment, operation and cost of the program.

The Town Council's special meeting begins at 7 p.m. Monday at Town Hall, following a 6:30 p.m. public hearing on the proposed school construction plan.

If councilors approve the resolution, the school bus camera hearing would be held Sept. 9 at 6:50 p.m. The ordinance would still require a later council vote before taking effect.

For more Northern Connecticut news, follow Patch editor Jay Kenney.