ST. PAUL — Twenty-seven schools and transportation companies will receive grants to install bus stop arm cameras to help keep students safe as they go to and from school. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) announced nearly $1.2 million in its sixth and final round of grants to change dangerous driving behaviors and protect children. Here is the list of phase six grantees.
The grant project combines enforcement, education and awareness efforts so drivers obey the law and stop for buses with flashing lights and stop arms extended. The cameras are helping schools and law enforcement find the violators and hold them accountable.
Violations Captured with Stop Arm Cameras
Stop arm camera videos from previous grantees highlight the dangerous prevalence of drivers not stopping for flashing lights and extended stop arms.
Here is a sample list of schools and violation numbers reported by First Student and Palmer Bus Service. First Student reported 127 violations and Palmer Bus Service reported 105 violations recorded by stop arm cameras from Jan. 1-March 31, 2023. Final numbers from all grantees are being compiled and will be reported later this year.
Schools and transportation companies began installing cameras in 2022 as the multiphase grant project got underway. The grant project will equip around 7,000 school buses with stop arm cameras, representing about 59 percent of all school buses in Minnesota.
Minnesota Drivers Risking Students’ Lives
Law enforcement agencies work with schools and transportation companies to cite drivers failing to stop for school buses with flashing lights and stop arms extended. Prior to the grant project, law enforcement cited 4,652 drivers for stop arm violations from 2017 to 2021.
The National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services conducts an annual illegal passing survey in Minnesota. Participating school bus drivers observed 464 stop arm violations in a single day during the 2023 survey.
"No driver wants to kill or seriously injure a child because of a stop arm violation,” said OTS Director Mike Hanson. “It’s frightening to see the number of violations captured by the cameras. This project will help motorists understand the dangers, learn the law and keep kids safe."
Stop Arm Camera Grant Project
- OTS announced $14 million in state-funded grant awards in phases one through six during 2022 and 2023.
- The project is a partnership with law enforcement agencies including the Minnesota State Patrol, police departments and sheriff’s offices statewide. Grant applicants provided support letters from local law enforcement agencies, an outreach plan and demonstrated need by sharing violation numbers from the last two years.
- The grants reimburse schools and transportation companies for purchasing and installing stop arm camera systems and supporting software programs.
Follow the Law, Keep Children Safe
- State law requires all vehicles to stop for school buses when the bus driver activates the flashing lights and has the stop arm fully extended.
- Drivers who violate the law face a $500 fine.
- Drivers can face criminal charges for passing a school bus on the right, passing when a child is outside the bus, or injuring or killing a child.
Motorists
- On undivided roads, motorists traveling both directions must stop at least 20 feet from a school bus that is displaying red flashing lights and an extended stop arm.
- Traffic traveling the opposite direction on a divided roadway with a separating median such as a cement wall or boulevard is not required to stop.
- Motorists should slow down, pay attention and anticipate school children and buses, especially in neighborhoods and school zones.
- The best way to be aware of your surroundings at all times is to put the distractions away.
Students
- When getting off a bus, look to be sure no cars are passing on the shoulder.
- Wait for the bus driver to signal that it’s safe to cross.
- When crossing the street to get on the bus or to go home, make eye contact with motorists before proceeding.
School Bus Safety Resources
About the Minnesota Department Public Safety
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) comprises 10 divisions where 2,100 employees operate programs in the areas of law enforcement, crime victim assistance, traffic safety, alcohol and gambling, emergency communications, fire safety, pipeline safety, driver licensing, vehicle registration and emergency management. DPS activity is anchored by three core principles: education, enforcement and prevention.
About the Office of Traffic Safety
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) designs, implements and coordinates federally funded traffic safety enforcement and education programs to improve driver behaviors and reduce the deaths and serious injuries that occur on Minnesota roads. These efforts form a strong foundation for the statewide Toward Zero Deaths traffic safety program. OTS also administers state funds for the motorcycle safety program, child seats for needy families program and school bus stop arm camera project.
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