Each year, 13 children die on average as the result of illegal school bus passing across the nation. Thousands more visit hospitals due to accidents around the bus. Those motorists were either too distracted to notice the flashing red lights or disregarded them. These drivers caused hundreds of deaths over the years that could have easily been prevented.
Jackson Township has been addressing this serious safety concern with exterior cameras on stop arms, which capture the license plate of any car passing the bus while the stop arm is deployed (picture).
The program started back in 2004 and has seen an 80% decrease in illegal passing in the Township since its inception.
Of note, in a candid and exclusive conversation with Tammy Dalton, Jackson’s Acting Director of Transportation, TLS has learned that Jackson bus drivers can report and fine illegal passers anywhere in NJ. This is particularly relevant nowadays in Lakewood, where many Jackson buses can be seen transporting kids to and from Lakewood schools daily.
As a public service, TLS would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone to be alert when approaching a stopped school bus, and abide by the following NJ State rules:
– On a two-lane road, or multi-lane highway, not divided by some type of physical barrier, stop at least 25 feet from a stopped school bus with flashing red lights, whether or not you are traveling in the same direction as the bus. Proceed after the bus signals have been turned off, and even then, watch for children.
– Travel no faster than 10 mph by a stopped school bus that is picking up or letting off students directly at a school, in either direction.
A violation of these laws results in a $100-$500 fine, and up to 15 days in jail. 5 points are added to a driver’s record for each offense.
See frightening dashcam video below from an incident last year in Lakewood.
B”H! It’s about time! I can’t tell you how many people pass my daughter’s bus on a daily basis!
Agree totally, but the bus drivers need to be considerate and not leave on the lights for longer than necessary and parents shouldn’t be bringing kids to the bus late with the lights flashing while they walk the entire block from their house to the bus.
Thus is just to generate revenue.
The plan is to be contracted through a private company which gets commission.
Will there be cameras to make sure the buses transporting 50 children don’t run red lights, stop signs, make illegal turns, driving with red lights on to get the right if way?
What happens when a bus suddenly turns on its lights when coming the opposite direction?
So you don’t really agree. Only on your own terms. You do it cuz it’s the law but you don’t agree with it at all. Busses can flash light for as long as necessary which may seem longer than necessary for you. And sometimes ppl run late and running for the bus is not negligent!! There are children on the bus and it’s attitudes like your that diminish the importance of laws like these.
I agree with cameras to catch people passing stopped buses. I think they should also be recording the entire ride so employers can see if their drivers are putting kids at risk by running lights and stop signs.
Perhaps one inside to record which kids are running around/ hanging out windows, with a 7-30 day ban from riding will help parents encourage kids to stay safe passengers as well.
I just saw this the other day, all the boys were standing on the bus while it was moving, why are they not sitting in the seats?
@J.B.
Pure ignorance. These cameras are running since 2004 and there are no plans to privatize them. It’s a regular ticket + 5 points per offense, which doesn’t benefit the district directly.
Now you’re correct about the need for dash cams and driver behavior GPS inputs, which BTW are already installed on many buses, however most bus drivers are there for the safety of our kids, and the first line of protection is still from reckless motorists. Please think next time before bashing a deterrent that’s here to protect our children’s precious lives.
Thank you TLS for spreading awareness of this very real but avoidable danger!!