Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Traffic Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents urge clearer rules for school-bus camera enforcement after tickets spark confusion
Summary
Several residents complained about automated school-bus enforcement cameras and inconsistent application of the law; councilors said the rule ties to New York State law and legislative change may be needed.
Multiple residents raised concerns during the Sept. 2 public-comment period about the city’s use of automated school-bus enforcement cameras and the ticketing process.
One commenter described receiving a $250 civil fine after a school-bus incident and said the enforcement company’s notices offer limited options and emphasize payment. He asked the council to seek modifications so cameras capture violations only when a stop sign is deployed, rather than when bus warning lights begin flashing.
Council members and staff explained that the state standard governs enforcement: the prohibition on passing a school bus applies when the red lights on the bus are flashing and the stop-arm is deployed. A council member stated that under the existing law the camera begins recording when the bus’s warning system activates and said changing timing or enforcement would require action by the state legislature.
Councilors agreed the city will review how enforcement is executed locally and that any statutory change would need to proceed through Albany. They also acknowledged operational concerns about motorists redirecting to side streets and potential safety tradeoffs.
No council motion was recorded on the issue; council members said the matter requires state-level change and local coordination with the enforcement vendor and the county.
