Prince George’s County recently announced a new partnership with BusPatrol to launch a school bus safety program in order to increase student safety as they travel to and from school.

All of the 1,216 buses in the PGCPS fleet have been upgraded with safety technology from BusPatrol and its technology partners Zonar, Samsung and Transfinder at no cost to the school system or taxpayers.

From the press release:

The technology package includes cloud-connected stop-arm cameras on the side of school buses that can capture 180 degrees and up to eight lanes of traffic. These will deter drivers from illegally passing stopped school buses and putting children at risk as they step on and off.

The program will go live on Thursday, April 8, when the first set of students return to school. Drivers who ignore the school bus stop law on or after this date should expect to receive a $250 citation in the mail.

“As operators of one of the largest school bus fleets in the nation, we are constantly exploring new ways to ensure safe and dependable student transportation,” said Dr. Monica Goldson, PGCPS Chief Executive Officer. “The new stop-arm cameras that will capture video of traffic violations are just one way we are leveraging technology to improve student safety both on and off of school buses.”

The school bus stopping law in Maryland requires drivers approaching in both directions to stop for a stopped school bus with its lights flashing and stop-arm extended.

Stay tuned to Conduit Street for the latest.