Mayor Malik D. Evans has put forward new legislation in Rochester to improve student safety by penalizing drivers who illegally pass school buses with stop arms extended. The proposed law aligns with New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law Sections 1174 and 1174-a, imposing fines for such violations.
The legislation includes agreements with BusPatrol America LLC for photo violation monitoring systems and the Rochester City School District (RCSD) for their installation on school buses. Mayor Evans stated, “The safety of our youth is our highest priority, and this legislation will provide a much-needed layer of protection to ensure drivers are held accountable when they put our students at risk.”
The initiative involves installing stop-arm cameras on buses to record violations, which will be reviewed by BusPatrol and confirmed by city officials. Fines between $250 and $300 will fund the program without cost to RCSD.
This move brings Rochester’s safety measures in line with suburban Monroe County programs. The City Council plans to vote on this legislation on October 22, 2024.
