School Bus Safety
The North Providence Public Schools and the North Providence Police Dept. has partnered with BusPatrol to launch a new school bus
safety program to protect students on the ride to and from school.
Every year, more than 45 million motorists illegally pass stopped school buses in the US, putting
students at risk as they travel to and from school. These illegal passing incidents can result in
tragedy, and it’s crucial that we work together to reduce reckless driving around school buses
and make roads safer for our students.
To combat this issue, we’ve partnered with BusPatrol to launch a new school bus safety
program. Through the program, all of the district buses are now equipped with cameras powered
by artificial intelligence to detect when vehicles break the law and fail to stop. This evidence is
shared with law enforcement for review, and if a violation has occurred, a summons is sent to
the registered vehicle owner.
How will the school bus safety program work?
Through the program, we have equipped every bus in our district’s fleet with advanced safety technology, including AI-powered stop-arm cameras. These cameras detect when a vehicle breaks the law and illegally passes a stopped school bus.
By using automated enforcement, local law enforcement can monitor every school bus stop and hold drivers accountable for violating the law and putting students at risk. Over time, the program helps change driver behavior, reduce illegal passings, and ensure children get to and from school safely every day.
1) When a vehicle illegally passes a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing and stop sign extended, the stop-arm camera captures footage of the violation.
2) The footage is securely sent to law enforcement for review to confirm if a violation
occurred.
3) If law enforcement confirms the violation, a supplemental summons (notice of violation) along with a State of Rhode Island Universal Traffic Summons is sent to the registered vehicle owner. Data shows that 90% of first-time violators do not illegally pass a bus again, making roads safer for students.
How is the program educating motorists about when to stop for a school bus and
promoting school bus safety beyond ticketing?
The school bus safety program combines education and enforcement to change motorist behavior and promote a culture of awareness and responsibility around school buses. Before any tickets are issued, the program begins with a 30-day warning period and public awareness campaign.
Starting on April 1, 2025, violators will receive a warning letter with no fine. During this time, an educational campaign will remind motorists of school bus stopping laws and provide road safety tips to children for getting on and off the bus. Enforcement will begin on May 1, 2025. Per Rhode Island state law, the penalty for illegally passing a stopped school bus is a civil fine of between $250 to $500, and/or suspension of the driving license for a maximum of 30 days. This education and awareness will continue after enforcement begins, ensuring the community stays informed and roads remain safer for everyone.
Our Goal
The goal of this safety program is to reduce reckless driving around school buses and make
roads safer for everyone. Data shows that over 90% of first-time violators do not repeat offend,
highlighting the program’s potential to change driver behavior and create a culture of awareness
and responsibility around the yellow school bus.
FAQs
How often do cars illegally pass stopped school buses?
While Rhode Island has limited data on the issue, we’re hopeful that this program will provide a
clearer picture of the problem in our state. Nationally, however, the numbers are alarming.
According to the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services
(NASDPTS) over 45 million vehicles illegally pass a stopped school bus every year.
This statistic comes from an annual survey, and the latest data from the 2023-2024 school year
reveals a troubling increase in illegal passes—rising from 43.2 million to 45.2 million.
Additionally, school bus stop-arm camera studies conducted in other states have reported up to
three illegal passings per bus per day.
These statistics highlight a serious problem: illegally passing school buses puts children at risk
and underscores the need for enhanced enforcement.
How to contest a notice of violation?
To contest a notice of violation, the vehicle owner must appear in person at the Rhode Island
Traffic Tribunal. At the tribunal, you can either plead guilty or not guilty. If you plead guilty, you
would pay the fine in court. If you please not guilty, you will be given a date to return to the
tribunal to present your case. After seeing the evidence, over 90% of violators choose to pay the
fine without contesting.
Instructions on how to contest the violation are included in the summons.
What if I was not the one driving the vehicle at the time of the offense?
The notice of violation is issued to the registered vehicle owner. If you were not the one driving,
or the vehicle was stolen at the time of the offence, you can request a transfer of liability through
the police department.
When should you stop for a stopped school bus in Rhode Island?
Program Contacts
To speak to a representative about a stop-arm violation, contact the AlertBus Customer Contact Center toll-free support line at 1-877-504-7080.
The Contact Center is available Monday- Friday (8 am – 5 pm)
English and Spanish-speaking customer service agents are available to address your inquiries.
To expedite our service, please have your citation number ready when you call
Any questions regarding the program please contact
Francisco Furtado
francisco.furtado@buspatrol.com
401.474.2196