Automated school bus stop-arm cameras roll out on Chicopee streets

A new effort to keep students safe on their way to and from school is underway in Chicopee. 22 News reporter Sarah Bien-Aimé joins us live in studio with how this new technology is helping hold drivers accountable. That's right, Claire. With 46% of parents reporting a close call near a school bus, Chicopee aims to be the first in our state to fix it with this new Safety is Shared campaign. When a school bus stops, drivers are supposed to stop too. But in Chicopee, that's not always happening. Since the beginning of the school year, we did issue 186 actual citations for passing school buses. And now, city leaders are teaming up with Bus Patrol to spread the message that student safety is everyone's responsibility. We're a safer city today because of Bus Patrol. We put systems on about 45,000 school buses in about 400 communities across 34 states. Chicopee is the first community in Massachusetts to launch this citywide automated school bus stop-arm safety program. So far, they've upgraded 10 buses with cameras and will be on track to finish all 119 by the end of the semester. Most people only think of school buses having inside cameras. Now, Chicopee buses will have multiple cameras on the outside, too. But the question is, what will these cameras actually catch? There's a front-facing camera, a rear-facing camera, a side-view lens that shows kids getting on and off the school bus, and then a fisheye lens on the side of the school bus where the stop sign is. And there are four other cameras that are lower down to the ground that help law enforcement identify the vehicle. And on-bus AI then captures a 30-second clip of the violation. And Bus Patrol checks it to ensure it meets state laws, then hands it off to local police, who review the footage and easily issues a ticket. Technology that goes hand-in-hand with Senate Bill S-3005. Unfortunately, if we don't witness it firsthand, we couldn't issue a citation prior to this law being enacted. And in Massachusetts, passing a stopped school bus will cost you $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second, and even more after that. Working for you, Sarah Bien-Aimé, 22 News.