School Bus Stop Arm Camera program launches just in time for back to school
In collaboration with the Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB), Kawartha Lakes Bus Lines, and City of Kawartha Lakes OPP, we’re excited to share that the School Bus Stop Arm Camera pilot program is set to launch at the start of the new school year.
That means that for the first time ever in Kawartha Lakes, local school busses will be equipped with a stop arm camera to capture and report unsafe driving practices to the City of Kawartha Lakes OPP in real time.
The pilot program was created in direct response to the significant surge of reported incidents from school bus drivers and local residents regarding unsafe practices when a school bus is stopped. In the 2023-24 school year alone, Kawartha Lakes Bus Lines reported 380 incidents of vehicles going through the red lights of a stopped school bus. It should be noted that Kawartha Lakes Bus Lines is just one of the school bus operators in Kawartha Lakes; the others have also experienced a rise in incidents.
“As school returns this fall, the school bus stop arm cameras will provide us with another tool to help protect the children of Kawartha Lakes on their commute to and from school. Every year, we respond to far too many complaints and close calls related to motorists failing to stop for a school bus. The hope is that this pilot program will encourage all drivers to respect the rules of the road when it comes to school busses,” said Detachment Commander Tim Tatchell, City of Kawartha Lakes OPP.
The School Bus Stop Arm Camera pilot program was initially brought to the municipality’s Community Policing Advisory Committee (CPAC) in the fall of 2023. Councillor Tracy Richardson, then Deputy Mayor, brought the pilot program forward at the November 2023 Regular Council meeting where it was unanimously approved by Council.
“I’m really excited about this pilot program. School bus stop arm cameras are a proven deterrent for school bus related traffic incidents, and any time we can improve the safety and well-being of our children, it’s a win!” said Councillor Richardson.
The funding for the purchase of the cameras was a 50/50 split between the municipality and the TLDSB.
Here’s how it’s going to work
No matter how fast the vehicle is moving, the cameras have the ability to capture perfectly clear images of the offending car’s licence plate as it drives by the extended stop arm on the bus. The cameras also capture key details such as the date, time and GPS location of the incident.
When a school bus driver observes a violation, they (or a designate) will call the OPP’s non-emergency number to report it. The driver will also fill out a reporting form to provide details of the incident. Once the incident has been reported and the form completed, Kawartha Lakes Bus Lines will flag it for follow-up by the OPP. The officer in charge of the program will then investigate the incident. Using footage pulled from the cameras, the officer will follow up with the registered owner of the vehicle and lay the appropriate charges.
It is important to note that due to changes to the Highway Traffic Act, the OPP is not required to identify the driver of the vehicle. The registered owner of the vehicle will be the one charged no matter who is driving. The principle is the same as it applies to red light cameras and speed cameras, however, the registered owner will only face a fine and no demerit points will be added to their licence.
Please note that drivers with out of province plates will be charged accordingly via court summons. Additionally, for licence plates that are registered to a company rather than a person, the registered company will be charged.
Reminder: the fine for failing to stop for a school bus that is stopped with its signals flashing is $490 for first time offenders.
With school returning next week, an influx of busses on the road and students on the side of the road should be expected. Please be sure to take extra precautions on your commute as you get used to students returning to the roads. Together we can all insure that our students return to school safely. We wish every one a safe and happy upcoming school year!
