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Disregard for Stopped School Buses Underlines Technology’s Safety Role

The raw numbers are astonishing:

According to statistics from the state of New York, some 50,000 motor vehicles illegally pass school buses every single day in just that state. 

In 2022 alone, 104 people died nationwide in school bus-related accidents, according to National Safety Council (NSC) tabulations of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Recently, a near miss involving a young student near Syracuse, N.Y., caught public attention when a beloved bus driver known to the community as “Miss Debbie” reportedly saved a girl from being hit during her after-school dropoff. 

A 66-year-old man who sped past the right side of the stopped bus in a Toyota Camry, clipping a mailbox in the process, was later arrested, local media reported.

Fortunately, Miss Debbie’s keen attention and quick reflexes, grabbing the girl by her backpack and pulling her back toward the bus, saved her from the speeding car during the incident, which was captured by a doorbell camera.

Enter Bytecurve360.

The incident highlighted the epidemic of vehicles disregarding school buses despite signs attached to buses that instruct drivers to stop while passengers disembark and, sometimes, cross the street.

“If found illegally passing a school bus in New York, a person can be slapped with a $250 to $400 fine and up to 30 days in jail for their first offense,” the New York Post reported.

The apparent disregard motorists show for school buses during the pickup and dropoff process underlines the need for technology to both help train drivers and capture incidents for law enforcement scrutiny.

The disregard by motorists for stopped school buses during pickup and drop-off has become a significant safety concern in many areas. Studies and reports from various states highlight the extent of the problem, showing that it is a widespread and dangerous issue.

Here are some key points illustrating the severity of the problem:

1. High Incidence of Violations

National Stop-Arm Violation Survey: According to the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS), an annual survey in 2023 revealed that over 94,500 school bus drivers reported nearly 63,000 instances of motorists illegally passing their buses in a single day. Extrapolated over a school year, this could mean millions of illegal passes.

State-Level Data: Specific states have conducted their own studies with alarming results. For example, as previously mentioned, in New York, a 2019 survey found that there were over 50,000 illegal passes of school buses in just one day.

2. Risks to Student Safety

Increased Danger: When motorists ignore stop-arm signals and pass stopped school buses, they put children at significant risk. Students crossing the street to board or alight from the bus are particularly vulnerable.

Fatalities and Injuries: Unfortunately, there have been numerous incidents where children have been injured or killed due to motorists disregarding school bus stop signs. For example, in Indiana in 2018, three siblings were struck and killed by a driver who illegally passed a stopped school bus.

3. Causes of Disregard

Driver Distraction: Many violations occur because drivers are distracted, often by their phones or other devices.

Ignorance of the Law: Some motorists may not be fully aware of the laws regarding stopping for school buses or may misinterpret the requirements, especially on multi-lane roads.

Impatience and Aggression: In some cases, drivers may knowingly violate the law out of impatience or frustration, not wanting to wait for the bus to finish its stop.

4. Efforts to Address the Problem

Legislative Measures: Various states have enacted stricter laws and higher fines for drivers who illegally pass school buses. For example, in Georgia, the penalty for passing a stopped school bus includes a fine of up to $1,000 and six points on the driver’s license.

Stop-Arm Cameras: Many school districts have started to install stop-arm cameras on buses to capture footage of violators (see more below). These cameras help in enforcing the law by providing clear evidence of violations.

Public Awareness Campaigns: Increasing awareness about the dangers of passing stopped school buses is crucial. Campaigns aim to educate drivers about the laws and the severe risks involved.

Law Enforcement: Increased law enforcement presence around school bus routes and during pickup and drop-off times can deter violators and ensure compliance.

5. Technological Interventions

Advanced Warning Systems: Some districts use advanced warning systems that provide additional signals to alert drivers that a bus is stopping.

Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) Communication: Emerging technology allows school buses to communicate directly with nearby vehicles, alerting them to the bus’s status and the presence of children crossing the street.

The disregard for school bus stop signals by motorists is a severe issue with potentially tragic consequences. Efforts to combat this problem through technology, stricter enforcement, and public education are critical to ensuring the safety of students during school bus pickup and drop-off.

As the only software solution that merges GPS Fleet Tracking and routing data into a new solution, Bytecurve360 is the fastest-growing technology serving the student transportation industry thanks to its ability to significantly improve: 

• Payroll operations, including the streamlining of different pay codes and jobs or tasks between and among staff members 
• Dispatching operations, including the ability to alter routes, runs, and tasks in real-time to respond to later and/or absent drivers 
• Real-time app-powered communications, including the ability for drivers in the field to respond to route changes via the app

The integration of real-time tracking, optimized routing, student identification, behavior monitoring, effective communication, and data analytics collectively contribute to a safer and more efficient transportation system.

Technology can greatly enhance student safety during school bus pickup and drop-off through a variety of methods:

GPS Tracking and Real-Time Updates
Real-Time Location Tracking: GPS technology enables parents and school administrators to track the real-time location of school buses. Apps and online portals can show where the bus is on its route, allowing parents to know exactly when it will arrive at the bus stop.

Route Optimization: GPS can help optimize bus routes for safety and efficiency, avoiding dangerous areas and minimizing the time students spend on the bus.

Stop-Arm Cameras
Violation Detection: Stop-arm cameras mounted on buses capture images and videos of vehicles that illegally pass the bus when the stop arm is extended. This helps enforce traffic laws and deter such dangerous behavior.

Student Identification Systems
RFID Tags and Smart Cards: Students can be issued RFID tags or smart cards that they scan when boarding and alighting the bus. This ensures accurate records of who is on the bus and alerts parents and school authorities if a child does not get on or off at the expected stop.

Mobile Apps and Alerts
Parent Notifications: Mobile apps can send notifications to parents about the bus’s location, estimated arrival times, and any delays. This reduces the time children spend waiting at the bus stop and minimizes exposure to potential dangers.

Emergency Alerts: In case of an emergency, such as a bus breakdown or accident, the system can immediately notify parents and school officials, ensuring a swift response.

About Bytecurve

Founded in 2018 by GP Singh after many years on the frontline of student transportation operations with one of the country’s largest private student transportation providers, Bytecruve is designed as the 360 view of operations.

By blending routing and GPS fleet tracking data, and adding a payroll capability as well as mobile app for two-ways communications between dispatch and drivers, Bytecurve 360 has created a new category for student transportation excellence: the dispatch command center.

“We believe many school bus operators still don’t appreciate all the potential improvments they can deliver by taking two powerful yet independent systems and merging them into a new layer of visibility and action,” Singh said. “We’re integrated with all the major providers of routing systems and GPS fleet tracking so virtually any school district with both systems can take advantage of our transformative technology.”

Trusted by dozens of districts across North America, more than 40,000 school bus rely on Bytecurve technology to improve their efficiency and safety.

“I know from first hand experience what school bus fleet leaders need to perform at their best, and we work tirelessly on our product and with our customers to deliver this experience so they can know they are investing in the safest and most efficient fleet.”