ST. PAUL — Sixteen schools and transportation companies will receive grants to install bus stop arm cameras to help keep students safe as they go to and from school. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) announced $1.4 million in phase five grants to change dangerous driving behaviors and protect kids.
The grant project combines enforcement, education and awareness efforts so drivers obey the law and stop for buses with flashing lights and stop arms extended. The cameras will help schools and law enforcement find the violators and hold them accountable.
Stop arm camera videos from previous grantees highlight the dangerous prevalence of drivers not stopping for flashing lights and extended stop arms.
“It’s such a helpless, terrifying moment for both the child and the bus driver when a vehicle nearly strikes a student,” said OTS Director Mike Hanson. “If you can’t pay attention and follow the law near a school bus, these cameras will help law enforcement find you so you don’t keep putting kids at risk and cause a senseless tragedy.”
The project is a partnership with law enforcement agencies including the Minnesota State Patrol, police departments and sheriff’s offices statewide. Grant applicants provided support letters from local law enforcement agencies, an outreach plan and demonstrated need by sharing violation numbers from the last two years.
Earlier grant recipients recognize how valuable the project is to protecting Minnesota students.
“We do all that we can to keep our students safe, but one reckless, distracted or unaware driver can end a child’s life in seconds,” said Tim Rybak, director of operations, Bloomington Public Schools. “We see the violations and can’t help thinking about the worst possible outcome. The stop arm cameras are an invaluable tool, and as this project continues, more motorists are going to learn to make the right choice around school buses.”
Stop Arm Camera Grant Project
Recent grant awardees and their counties served are: 4.0 School Services – Redwood, Carver, Carlton, McLeod, Lincoln, Lyon, Meeker; Bemidji Bus Line – Beltrami, Hubbard; Bud’s Bus Service – Nobles; Cambridge-Isanti Schools – Isanti, Chisago; Cleveland Public School – Le Sueur, Nicollet, Blue Earth; First Student – Winona, Washington, Ramsey, Hennepin, Goodhue; Hancock Public School – Stevens, Pope, Swift; Bemidji Area Schools ISD 31 – Beltrami, Hubbard; Labraaten Bus Company Inc. – McLeod; Mora Public Schools – Kanabec; Northland Community Schools – Cass; Nor-Tran Inc. Itasca; Pine Island ISD 255 – Goodhue, Olmsted, Dodge; Rudenick Bus Service LLC – Nicollet; South Washington County Schools – Washington; Staples-Motley ISD 2170 – Todd, Wadena, Cass, Morrison.
Minnesota state legislators approved $14.7 million in total funding for this project for 2022 and 2023.
OTS has announced $13 million in grant awards in phases one through five. A future OTS announcement will highlight phase six grantees.
The grants will reimburse schools and transportation companies for purchasing and installing stop arm camera systems and supporting software programs.
Minnesota drivers risking students’ lives
Law enforcement agencies work with schools and transportation companies to cite drivers failing to stop for school buses with flashing lights and stop arms extended. From 2017 to 2021, law enforcement cited 4,652 drivers for stop arm violations.
The National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services conducts an annual illegal passing survey in Minnesota. School bus drivers observed 1,003 stop arm violations in a single day during the 2022 survey.
Follow the law, keep children safe
State law requires all vehicles to stop for school buses when the bus driver activates the flashing lights and has the stop arm fully extended.
Drivers who violate the law face a $500 fine.
Drivers can face criminal charges for passing a school bus on the right, passing when a child is outside the bus, or injuring or killing a child.
Motorists
On undivided roads, motorists traveling both directions must stop at least 20 feet from a school bus that is displaying red flashing lights and an extended stop arm.
Traffic traveling the opposite direction on a divided roadway with a separating median such as a cement wall or boulevard is not required to stop.
Motorists should slow down, pay attention and anticipate school children and buses, especially in neighborhoods and school zones.
The best way to be aware of your surroundings at all times is to put the distractions away.
Students
When getting off a bus, look to be sure no cars are passing on the shoulder.
Wait for the bus driver to signal that it’s safe to cross.
When crossing the street to get on the bus or to go home, make eye contact with motorists before proceeding.
About the Minnesota Department Public Safety
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) comprises 10 divisions where 2,100 employees operate programs in the areas of law enforcement, crime victim assistance, traffic safety, alcohol and gambling, emergency communications, fire safety, pipeline safety, driver licensing, vehicle registration and emergency management. DPS activity is anchored by three core principles: education, enforcement and prevention.
About the Office of Traffic Safety
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) designs, implements and coordinates federally funded traffic safety enforcement and education programs to improve driver behaviors and reduce the deaths and serious injuries that occur on Minnesota roads. These efforts form a strong foundation for the statewide Toward Zero Deaths traffic safety program. OTS also administers state funds for the motorcycle safety program, child seats for needy families program and school bus stop arm camera project.
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