New Pittsburgh School Bus Cameras Catch Motorists Driving Illegally

PITTSBURGH, PA — Drivers caught on camera illegally passing stopped Pittsburgh Public Schools buses will receive warning notifications from now through July 3 but no financial penalty.

After that, motorists who fail to stop for the buses and have their license plates photographed via the district's new stop-arm camera program will be fined $300 - the penalty for first-time violators under state law.

The technological upgrade enabling school bus scofflaws to be caught more easily was made in conjunction with BusPatrol, a leading provider of school bus safety programs. District officials said the programs have reduced the rate of illegal passings and are violator-funded.

"The upgrades we have made to our bus fleet at no cost to taxpayers will help end the reckless driving habits putting the lives of our students at risk as they enter and exit the school bus," Superintendent Wayne Walters said in a statement.

The district’s buses have been equipped with the cameras since the beginning of the school year. Since January, nearly 30,000 violations have been captured, according to the district.