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Keeping Our Students Safe
HCPS has partnered with BusPatrol to launch a School Bus Safety Program to keep students safe as they enter and exit our school buses.
Beginning in summer 2024, all school buses will be equipped with safety technology, including stop-arm enforcement cameras designed to detect vehicles that illegally pass stopped school buses.
This safety initiative seeks to curb dangerous driver behavior around school buses and make the journey to and from school safer for all student riders.
Recent studies show Florida drivers illegally pass stopped school buses more than three times per bus per day. This is unacceptable for our children.
SB 766 Enforcement of School Bus Passing Infractions by Senator Danny Burgess was introduced in the 2023 legislative session and signed into law on May 31, 2023. This new law allows school districts to install infraction detections systems on school buses.
The cameras will capture the license plates of vehicles that illegally pass stopped buses, along with video of the infraction. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office will review the footage to determine whether to issue a citation by mail.
This program is not about generating fines. It’s a way of changing driver’s behavior over time and educating people that there are consequences for passing the school buses.
We are hopeful this law will reduce the number of traffic violations that occur around school buses, while improving student safety.
To speak to a representative about a safety violation,
contact the AlertBus Customer Contact Center at 1-877-504-7080.
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The HCPS School Bus Safety Program combines education with enforcement to change motorist behavior and create a culture of awareness and responsibility around school buses.
Before the first citation is issued, the program starts with an extensive PSA campaign. This campaign reminds motorists of school bus stopping laws and teaches children road safety tips for getting on and off the bus.
Timeline of Events
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August 12, 2024: Launched a 30-day public service announcement (PSA) campaign and warning period to educate motorists about school bus stopping laws.
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September 12, 2024: As of September 12, 2024, the Hillsborough School Bus Safety Program is live and a ticket will be mailed to the registered owner of any vehicle found to have illegal passed a stopped school bus.
Modernizing School Buses
In addition to stop-arm enforcement cameras, the HCPS fleet will be fully equipped with additional features to improve safety for students and drivers.
This includes:
- 360° safety cameras inside and outside the bus
- GPS tracking
- Emergency response solutions
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All school buses that transport Hillsborough County Public Schools students are equipped with safety technology, including stop-arm enforcement cameras. Cameras on the side of school buses help capture violation events and vehicle license plate numbers.
Law enforcement officers will review camera footage of violations and issue citations to a vehicle's registered owner unless the automobile is proven stolen during the offense. If someone other than the vehicle's owner was driving at the time, the owner can request a transfer of liability.
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In Florida, the fine for illegally passing a stopped school bus is $225 if a school bus camera captures the evidence. If witnessed by a police officer, the fine is $265. Both are civil violations and carry no points against a motorist's driving record. Failure to pay the civil penalty due or contest liability by the due date indicated on your Notice of Violation may result in the issuance of a Uniform Traffic Citation, and subject the registered owner to additional penalties and court costs.
In other communities, the BusPatrol safety program has reduced illegal passings by 30% year-over-year. In addition, 95 percent of drivers do not contest their citation after seeing video evidence of their violation.
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The diagram above represents the camera systems used in the district.
When a vehicle illegally passes a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop-arm activated, a multi-lens camera box on the side of the bus captures the violation and the car's license plate from different depths and angles. The footage, GPS, and timecode data are stored locally on an onboard digital video recorder (DVR) unique to each bus.
The data relating to the incident and violation is sent via an encrypted LTE network to a secure cloud system, where it is filtered by artificial intelligence (AI) software before being reviewed by a trained safety specialist.
If the specialist determines the violation is an offense, the specialist prepares an evidence package for law enforcement. The package is built in accordance with Florida State law, complete with video footage, still images, license plate number, make, model, driver information, GPS location, and a timestamp of the incident.
The evidence package is sent to law enforcement partners via a secure cloud portal. Law enforcement officers review the evidence package to approve and issue a citation. If approved, a citation is mailed to the vehicle's owner, who is legally responsible for the violation per Florida law. The citation and a link to the AlertBus Driver Education & Payment Portal are issued, where the vehicle owner can view video evidence of their violation. The vehicle owner makes their payment online, via mail, or in person at a designated location within the jurisdiction. Citations can also be contested through the relevant jurisdiction's civil court system.
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Motorists must STOP when approaching a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended.
On two-lane and multi-lane roadways:
- All drivers moving in either direction on a two-way street or a highway divided by a paved median must stop for a school bus displaying a stop signal and remain stopped until the road is clear of children AND the school bus stop-arm is withdrawn.
On multi-lane roadways divided by a median:
- The only time traffic approaching an oncoming school bus does not need to stop is if there is a raised barrier such as a concrete divider or at least five feet of unpaved space separating the lanes of traffic.
- On a highway divided by a raised barrier or an unpaved median at least 5 feet wide, drivers moving in the opposite direction do not have to stop for the bus (painted lines or pavement markings are not considered barriers). However, these motorists should slow down and watch for students loading or unloading from the bus.
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Parents and students: Please discuss these safety tips together and be sure to follow them:- Discuss and practice the safest way to get to and from school or the assigned school bus stop.
- Never run out into the street or cross between parked cars.
At the School Bus Stop:
- Arrive at the bus stop about five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.
- Follow instructions from your bus driver or the school district about where to wait at your assigned bus stop.
- Wait in a safe place away from the road.
- Do not run and play while waiting for the bus to arrive.
- Never sit on the roadway while waiting for your bus.
- Never speak to strangers at the bus stop, and never get into the car with a stranger. Always tell your parents, the bus driver, or another responsible adult as soon as possible if a stranger tries to talk to you or pick you up.
Loading or Unloading from the Bus:
- As the bus approaches, watch for the red flashing lights and the stop arms to extend.
- When the bus stops, wait for the driver’s signal that it is safe to cross the road or board the bus.
- If crossing the street, look left, right, and left again. When the driver signals that it is safe, walk at least 12 feet in front of the bus where the driver can see you.
- Never walk behind the school bus.
- Never run after the bus.
- Hold the handrail while going up and down the stairs.
- Go directly to your bus seat and remain seated during the ride.
- Exit the bus only at your assigned bus stop. If you drop something near the bus, tell the bus driver. Never try to pick it up first because the driver may not be able to see you.
- Parents or guardians of small children should wait with them in the morning and meet them at the bus stop in the afternoon.
Riding in the School Bus:
- Keep hands, arms, and head inside the bus.
- Always buckle up properly if your school bus has safety belts.
- Stay in your seat and obey the driver.
- Remain seated at all times and keep the aisle clear.
- Stop talking and remain silent when the bus comes to a railroad crossing so the driver can hear if a train is approaching.
- Avoid loud or disruptive behavior that could distract the bus driver from safely operating the bus.
- Be courteous and respectful to your driver. Safely getting you to and from school is a tremendous responsibility the driver takes very seriously.
