BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — If you pass a stopped school bus at a high speed in Buffalo, you could likely be fined $250.
The city is partnering with BusPatrol to deter and catch reckless drivers by using artificial intelligence to keep kids safe and hold dangerous drivers accountable. Starting next month, cameras will be installed on the stop arms of First Student school buses used by Buffalo Public Schools.
Once the arm is deployed and the lights start flashing, the bus's eight cameras begin recording. If the system's technology detects a driver making an illegal overtake, it sends a digital packet of video evidence to BusPatrol, where it's reviewed by a human and forwarded to police to determine whether a fine is warranted.
“We have to leverage technology,” Buffalo Police Chief Joseph Gramaria said, “and not just in this, but in other aspects of policing, like cameras and license plate readers, and other activities that we do to keep the public safe.”
News 4 was told no taxpayer money is being used for the program, with BusPatrol covering the costs of installing the equipment and receiving a portion of traffic fines.
Starting July 1, violators will only receive warnings by mail until the city begins actually penalizing violators on Sept. 30.
Patrick Ryan is an award-winning reporter who has been part of the News 4 team since 2020. Read more about his work here. Follow us on Twitter.
