Broward Schools to launch AI-powered school bus safety program with fines
Key Points(5)
- Broward County Public Schools is launching a new AI-powered school bus safety program ahead of the 2026-27 school year, equipping nearly 1,300 buses with automated stop-arm cameras to identify motorists who illegally pass stopped school buses.
- The district will officially launch the Broward County School Bus Safety Program during an event at 9 a.m.
- Thursday, July 23, at Student Transportation & Fleet Services in Oakland Park.
- School Board members, Superintendent Howard Hepburn and representatives from the Broward County Schools Police Department, Student Transportation & Fleet Services and BusPatrol are expected to attend.
- The initiative, developed in partnership with BusPatrol, aims to improve student safety by deterring illegal passing and increasing driver awareness as children travel to and from school.
Broward County Public Schools is launching a new AI-powered school bus safety program ahead of the 2026-27 school year, equipping nearly 1,300 buses with automated stop-arm cameras to identify motorists who illegally pass stopped school buses.
The district will officially launch the Broward County School Bus Safety Program during an event on Thursday, July 23, at Student Transportation & Fleet Services in Oakland Park. School Board members, Superintendent Howard Hepburn and representatives from the Broward County Schools Police Department, Student Transportation & Fleet Services and BusPatrol are expected to attend.
The initiative, developed in partnership with BusPatrol, aims to improve student safety by deterring illegal passing and increasing driver awareness as children travel to and from school.
The program begins with a 30-day warning period starting Aug. 10. Beginning Sept. 9, motorists who illegally pass a stopped school bus displaying its stop arm may receive a $225 civil citation under Florida law. The violation does not carry driver's license points.
According to Broward County Public Schools, every bus in the district's fleet has been equipped with AI-powered stop-arm cameras capable of detecting vehicles that fail to stop when required by law.
When a potential violation is recorded, the video and still images are securely transmitted to the Broward County Public Schools Police Department for independent review. If law enforcement determines a violation occurred, a Notice of Violation is mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle, along with access to the AlertBus Driver Education Portal, where motorists can review the evidence and learn more about Florida's school bus laws.
District officials said the program combines education with enforcement in an effort to change driver behavior and improve safety around school buses.
The district cited data showing that more than 90% of first-time violators do not commit a second offense after receiving a citation, suggesting the technology can have a lasting impact on driver behavior.
School officials said the initiative comes amid persistent concerns about illegal passing around school buses.
According to the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services, an estimated 40 million motorists illegally pass stopped school buses across the United States each year, putting children at risk as they board and exit buses.
In Florida alone, more than 8,000 illegal passes of stopped school buses were reported in a single day statewide. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also ranks Florida second in the nation for fatal school bus-related crashes, highlighting the need for stronger enforcement and public awareness, the district said.
Ahead of the program's launch, Broward County Public Schools and BusPatrol will conduct a public education campaign that includes warnings, public service announcements, paid advertising, media outreach and community engagement to familiarize drivers with the new enforcement system before citations begin.
