Vernon Council To Conduct Public Hearing On Potential School Bus Traffic Cameras

VERNON, CT — The concept of cameras placed on school buses that could capture images of vehicles blowing through stop signs during the loading and unloading of students is coming to the forefront in Vernon.

The Vernon Town Council has scheduled a public hearing for 7:35 p.m. on Feb. 3 in the council
chambers at Town Hall. The subject matter is a proposed ordinance that would allow camera-based school bus violation enforcement systems to be placed on town school busses.

The ordinance would also allow the town, consistent with state law, to contract with a company to install the enforcement system on school buses and assess a $250 fine when vehicles pass school buses when red lights are flashing.

A copy of the draft ordinance can be found here.

It's become a big deal in town, officials said.

Mayor Dan Champagne said, "People driving past school buses when the red lights are flashing is a persistent problem in Vernon and across Connecticut. Protecting our school children on their way
too and from school is the entire community’s responsibility and we believe this step is necessary to
make sure we keep Vernon kids safe."

Motorists must stop at least 10 feet from a school bus when its red lights are flashing, Vernon Police
Chief Marc Petruzzi said.

"As soon as the red lights begin flashing and stop arm is extending, no vehicle may pass the bus in either direction," Petruzzi said. "We hear repeatedly about incidents where school buses are being passed in all areas of town. While I would love to have an officer follow every school bus, it's just not practical, which is why this initiative will be beneficial."

Petruzzi said cameras on buses would be a tool to make Vernon’s roadways safer.

"Our goal is to get voluntary compliance with the law so that our children are not put at risk,” Petruzzi said. "Ideally, no fines will be assessed because everyone is following the law."

School Superintendent Dr. Joseph P. Macary said people passing by school buses when they are stopped to pick up or drop off students is certainly a problem.

"The safety and security of our students and staff, both in and out of school, is my number one priority," Macary said. "I support any ordinance or law that improves student safety."

The hearing will take place during the Vernon Town Council’s regular meeting on Feb. 3. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. and the hearing will begin at 7:35 p.m.