Cameras on Ont. school buses aim to catch drivers blowing past stop signs

Some school buses in southern Ontario have been equipped with cameras to catch the hundreds of drivers that blow past the vehicles’ flashing lights and stop signs as children disembark and attempt to cross the street.

School officials in Waterloo Region say, on average every week, each of its 372 school buses will see one to two cars pass illegally.

Six school buses in the area have recently been retrofitted with cameras, which require a hefty investment.

The program costs $15,000 per bus for the hardware, on top of additional operational and software costs. Officials hope that some of the costs can be recuperated through the fines collected. However, the cameras will not initially be used to issue tickets, but rather to locate where the most offences are taking place.

Police in Waterloo Region say drivers are required to stop at least 20 metres behind and in front of a bus when the red, flashing lights are activated.

Failing to do so could result in a $490 fine and up to six demerit points.

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  Some school buses in southern Ontario have been equipped with cameras to catch the hundreds of drivers that blow past the vehicles’ flashing lights and stop signs as children disembark and attempt to cross the street.