Safety Initiative Targets Dangerous Behavior on Michigan Roads

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Grand Rapids Public Schools is taking aim at one of the most dangerous moments of the day for students: getting on and off the school bus. The district and Dean Transportation partnered with BusPatrol to install stop-arm cameras on 135 buses at no cost to the district.

The technology is designed to catch drivers who illegally pass a stopped school bus. Footage will go to the Grand Rapids Police Department for review before citations are issued. A portion of the ticket revenue will be used to pay for the program.

"We view the school bus as an extension of the classroom, and it deserves the same level of care, protection and accountability," Grand Rapids Public School Superintendent Leadriane Roby said.

The program also adds interior cameras to help resolve incidents on board, which was a top request from parents.

Five-Week Warning Period Before Enforcement Begins

The program's five-week warning period begins the week of March 23, and enforcement starts April 27.

"Slowing down, stopping for a bus and driving responsibly are simple actions that children to protect children, saves lives when drivers do the right thing, everyone gets home safely, and that is a responsibility we share as a community," Grand Rapids Police Department Interim Chief Joe Trigg said.

Data shows that more than 2,200 drivers illegally pass a stopped school bus in Michigan on a single day, adding up to over 400,000 violations each year.

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In 2021, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a law that allowed law enforcement to use footage captured by school bus cameras to issue citations. Before 2021, officers had to personally witness the infraction.

Drivers who illegally pass school buses can be ticketed up to $500 dollars based on video footage from on-board cameras.

Interior Cameras Address Parent Concerns

The cameras are designed to only capture vehicles that illegally pass a stopped school bus and activate only when the bus's stop arm is deployed. When a driver receives a violation they will have the opportunity to review the stop arm camera video to see what they did, according to GRPS.

The program's five-week warning period begins the week of March 23, and enforcement starts April 27.

Data shows that more than 2,200 drivers illegally pass a stopped school bus in Michigan on a single day, adding up to over 400,000 violations each year.

Superintendent Leadriane Roby on Student Safety

"We view the school bus as an extension of the classroom, and it deserves the same level of care, protection and accountability," Grand Rapids Public School Superintendent Leadriane Roby said.

The program also adds interior cameras to help resolve incidents on board, which was a top request from parents.

Police Chief Joe Trigg Emphasizes Shared Responsibility

"Slowing down, stopping for a bus and driving responsibly are simple actions that children to protect children, saves lives when drivers do the right thing, everyone gets home safely, and that is a responsibility we share as a community," Grand Rapids Police Department Interim Chief Joe Trigg said.