PORT CHARLOTTE — Some Charlotte County school buses will soon have cameras to produce evidence when motorists illegally pass stopped buses.
The Charlotte County School Board recently approved a camera arm pilot program from January to June 30 in 36 school buses for Englewood, Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda.
The program is to deter drivers from speeding or potentially hurting children and parents who are crossing the road while the bus arm is still extended.
A new Florida law allows school districts to install cameras on buses to capture evidence of motorists violating driving rules. The high-resolution cameras are said to be able to film license plates in all weather conditions.
Charlotte County Public Schools has a partnership with BusPatrol and Verra Mobility/ATS, who are installing and supplying the equipment for the program, covering about 41% of the district’s 125-plus bus fleet.
The pilot program requires a partnership with the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office to review the alleged violations.