Nearly 100 Caught By Vernon School Bus Cams With Potential Passing Violations In First 3 Days Of Classes

VERNON, CT — Despite an intense campaign introducing school bus cameras designed to deter — or catch — those who think they do not have to stop for school buses, nearly 100 drivers were caught for potential violations in Vernon on the first three days of classes.

Town officials Thursday used the word "potential" because the camera footage is still being reviewed by the Vernon Police Department.

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The town has teamed up with a national company named BusPatrol, which has mounted cameras on each side of Vernon's school buses, along with one on the rear. It will record vehicles that illegally pass school buses when their stop signs have been deployed.

Violators caught will face a $250 civil fine, shared between the town and company. Warnings will be handed out for the first 30 days. Then come the real fines, effective on Sept. 28.

The numbers "represent the need for the school bus camera program," town officials said.

All 37 buses in town have cameras. The laws stipulates a 10-foot stopping buffer, Vernon Police Chief Marc Petruzzi has said.

BusPatrol's cameras use smart technology to detect and identify offenders. The cameras capture plates as well as a video of all violations. Vernon police then review the footage to determine is a violation actually took place, Petruzzi said.

The cameras are mounted on the left middle, on the rear and on the right-side blind spot of each bus and can see as far as eight lanes away.