An innovative idea developed by the County of Rockland to strengthen school bus safety has now become state law. As part of the 2026 New York State Budget, municipalities are now authorized to establish a Traffic Camera Violations Bureau (TCVB) to handle school bus stop-arm camera violations. The legislation was developed from a concept by Rockland County after identifying challenges with processing violations through traditional court systems.
With the new law in place, the County is moving forward to create its own Traffic Camera Violations Bureau, an administrative court structure designed to support and enhance the County’s School Bus Stop-Arm camera enforcement program.
“Keeping our children safe on the way to and from school is the highest priority,” said Rockland County Executive Ed Day. “By creating a focused, efficient court process for school‑bus stop‑arm violations, we will deliver faster outcomes for residents, reduce strain on local courts, and restore the deterrent effect necessary to protect students. I applaud County Attorney Thomas Humbach who came up with the solution, along with Intergovernmental Relations & Public Policy Director Stephen J. Powers, both of whom worked hand in hand with BusPatrol, which carried the idea to Albany.”
Under this program, municipalities across the state will have the authority to appoint hearing examiners who will preside at hearings for violations, streamlining case processing while alleviating pressure on local courts, and further enhancing the safety goals of the School Bus Stop Arm protection program.
“These reforms strike the right balance between swift enforcement and rigorous due process,” said County Attorney Thomas Humbach. “A specialized Traffic Camera Violations Bureau staffed by experienced hearing examiners will ensure consistent, transparent decisions and give motorists meaningful opportunities to contest alleged violations more quickly, and more conveniently, than in local court. In addition to having a traditional court room procedure, we intend to offer people the opportunity for video conference hearings and hearings on submissions alone, if that is what they prefer. We thank our partners at BusPatrol and program staff for their work to bring this important safety reform to fruition.”
The School Bus Stop‑Arm Safety Program continues to demonstrate strong results, including:
- A 30.5% decrease in Notices of Violation (NOLs) issued between the start and end of the 2024–25 school year.
- 23% year‑over‑year reductions in violations.
- 90% of violators do not commit a second offense, showing the program’s effectiveness in deterring repeat behavior.
“This reform is a meaningful step forward for school bus safety, both in Rockland County and across New York State. The Traffic Camera Violations Bureau will provide motorists a clear and efficient path to due process, making the program fairer for everyone — and we’re proud to support Rockland’s continued commitment to keeping students safe,” said Justin Meyers, President & Chief Innovation Officer of BusPatrol.
Drivers who receive a citation can review, pay and/or contest their violation online at www.alertbus.com or call 1‑877‑504‑7080.
This is utter insanity. The last three kids to get killed by a school bus WAS by a school bus driver. Why don’t we start with the obvious and teach the bus drivers how to drive and be patient? They speed, they don’t stop by stop signs, they make right on reds, they dont put on the yellow lights and they quickly throw out the stop signs within 2 seconds, they pick up hitch hickers.( yes , I’ve seen it) . This is just a money grab. They need to be held accountable. Shame on NY.
Where were the adults who should have been supervising the children getting on and off the busses and crossing the roads? Why are the parents okay with negligent drivers? Demand better.
Zero tolerance including stiff fines, license revocation and prosecution would be a good start.
No, this is by no means a money grab.
With there tremendous concern about safety (it is a very important thing I just want to get to my point ) how about take that money and put it in for more safety for our kids like crosswalks and sidewalks etc .???!!!! Also would be a good thing to give drivers tickets who do not follow minimal precautions and open there doors while cars are still passing
Love the name “ school bus arm” Half of these private NY state school buses DO NOT EVEN HAVE THE SAFTY ARM ON THEIR BUS. Students can get off walk right along the front of the bus. There is not any extending arm. Not to mention the numerous times I have had to literally jump face first into a lawn because a private school bus was barreling down the road towards me not giving me any walking room. Should I also mention the time there were buys hanging out on top of the bus through the safety window joking around. I’m not sure if that is the same bus that literally had a boy sitting on top of the drivers lap. Yes folks we have seen it all. I don’t think it is the non bus drivers that are causing most problems. Check out the private school bus drivers, their buses, and the behaviors they allow the children to do while the bus is in. Motion. THAT is where you will find the biggest safety violations.
You are spot on; speeding, ignoring stop signs, children everywhere in the bus except sitting on their seats, maximum capacity well exceeded etc, etc. The drivers (whom I highly doubt have proper training nor licenses) have zero regard for other drivers as well as the children aboard the bus.
Of course the parents are responsible for the children’s reprehensible behaviour. Proper training begins at home and when it doesn’t, it affects everyone. Do better.
Look up “BusPatrol”. Like any other camera enforcement company, they sell their services to the municipalities on the premise of Zero Upfront Cost. Cost of the program is paid by the fines collected, which creates a financial incentive. Rockland is effectively outsourcing an aspect of law enforcement, like NYS did with tolls and companies like Conduent. “Each bus is equipped with an AI-driven school bus camera system that identifies stop-arm violations in real time.” Imagine the headache of disputing an erroneous AI based determination…
Read it for yourself:
https://buspatrol.com/stop-arm-overview/
Taxation without representation!
The thing that is very wrong with this.
Plus: it’s money money money more than for the safty of our children!
It’s one thing when the town or state is trying to embezzle your money, now a money making company determines wether you broke the law and should pay a fine?
This companies last concern is for
A the safty of your children.
B the law
C all they are concerned of is increasing revenue for the company.
We are crazy to keep quiet and allow this!
Only the police and town courts should be handling this.
And it’s not always fair there either, but we certainly don’t need a money making business to be involved, while trying to increase revenue!
My plates were used by someone, when I was clearly out of the country, I emailed the evidence, plus other clear errors with the picture and video of the car passing the school bus…. On the time and date stamp of the photos taken
They realized that I am right, this dispute online is still showing pending, almost a year later.
When I complained to this company the compny replied to my email 4 months later to just keep calm, it can take a long time to get a court date…..
Well I wonder what the game plan is, I guess they are still trying to figure out how to win this case.
“This companies last concern is for
A the safty of your children.
B the law
C all they are concerned of is increasing revenue for the company.”
You are exactly correct but when they say, “It’s for the childrens’ safety!” people jump on board…
In reality, the company gets whatever money is agreed upon, the municipality gets the crumbs, and the politicians can claim they did something…