Local district looking to add safety measures for drivers passing school buses

PITTSBURGH — When drivers see stop signs, they stop.

The same rule applies to stopped school buses. However, too often cars will pass buses. One district is looking to add an extra layer of safety using new technology.

While school buses are one of the safest vehicles on the road, the Pittsburgh Public School District is looking to add new safety precautions after data suggested an uptick in violations.

“A lot of people don’t realize there is a real safety problem with school buses,” said Jean Souliere, CEO of BusPatrol.

BusPatrol is a technology company whose mission is to secure and modernize school buses across America with up-to-date safety features. “In the last decade, there were over 136,000 school bus-related injuries reported and over 1,000 fatalities,” added Souliere.

Souliere said the technology developed by his company can help curb that number by using artificial technology named “Ava.”

“Ava, she does the work, she’s on the buses. Her cameras monitor up to eight lanes of traffic, and when she identifies a violator, she then goes and grabs all the evidence,” said Souliere.

If a vehicle illegally passes a stopped bus, “Ava” will collect video of the offense and other information, including a license plate number. The company and police will then verify the information and mail the citation.

“In Pennsylvania, school districts are authorized to have their own program and issue a civil monetary penalty; no points will be added to a motorist’s license,” said Souliere.

The ticket amount is $300, and Souliere said the program is completely paid for by the ticket revenue, with most of the money going directly to the district.

However, during a recent committee meeting, some board members expressed mixed feelings about issuing costly citations.

“I do have a problem with putting people into a justice system that isn’t necessarily fair to all people,” said Pam Harbin, who represents District 4.

Harbin said she would continue to research the program, but she cannot support the measure.

Parents at King Elementary say the extra precaution is needed, and the fines are fair.

Douglas Williams said too often, he sees cars fly around stopped school buses, “Even if the arm is out, they go around and it is dangerous, so I think it’s a good idea.”

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