8,000 school buses will now be equipped with cameras to catch dangerous drivers making an illegal pass of a stopped school bus

ST. PAUL — More Minnesota school buses will be equipped with an additional tool to help catch reckless drivers who don’t stop when the bus stop arm is extended, and the lights are flashing. The final round of Stop Arm Camera grants is being awarded to 18 school districts and transportation companies, all in an effort to keep students safe.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) announced $1.3 million in its eighth and final round of grants. Here is the list of Phase 8 grantees.

“The thought of a child getting killed or injured by a reckless driver on the way to school is terrifying. With nearly 10,000 school bus trips daily in Minnesota, near-misses and violations are dangerous and unacceptable,” said OTS Director Mike Hanson. “No child or parent should have to worry about their safety when they’re getting on or off the bus. By using these cameras, more Minnesota communities will be able to hold bad drivers accountable and protect our children.”

Local school districts around the state say they are excited to receive this latest round of funding.

“The safety of our students is our top priority, and this grant allows us to take another important step in protecting them on their way to and from school,” said Tom Jerome, superintendent of the Roseau school district. “These cameras will be installed on 13 buses and will help improve enforcement of traffic laws, ensuring that drivers stop when students are boarding and unloading a Roseau school bus.”

The North St. Paul, Maplewood and Oakdale school district also receive funding for new stop arm cameras and officials believe they will protect students in their district.

“These stop-arm cameras will provide an extra layer of security, helping to hold drivers accountable and reinforcing the importance of stopping for school buses,” said school district 662 Superintendent Christine Tucci-Osorio. “In ISD 622, we are dedicated to doing everything we can to keep our students safe on their way to and from school.”

In total, OTS has now awarded more than $15 million in state-funded grants toward school bus stop arm cameras. That funding will have equipped 8,000 school buses statewide with camera systems.

Stop arm violations in Minnesota

Thanks in part to these cameras, initial results show 2,105 citations have been issued to dangerous drivers across the state of Minnesota in 2024. The stop arm camera grant program started in 2022.

Most overall school bus stop arm traffic citations by county 2020-2024

• Hennepin 1,918
• Wright 365
• Dakota 307
• Blue Earth 297
• Washington 238
• Olmsted 190
• Anoka 165
• Scott 153
• Stearns 147
• Rice 132

*Citation data from Minnesota Judicial Branch District Court Criminal Charges data tool.

Stop arm camera grant project

• The project is a partnership with 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.
• The grants reimburse schools and transportation companies for purchasing and installing stop arm camera systems.

Follow the law, keep children safe

• 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 is to put the distractions away.
• 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.

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.

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, school bus stop arm camera project and oversees the funding for the Advisory Council on Traffic Safety.