(The Center Square) – A plan to add cameras to school bus stop signs is moving at the Wisconsin Capitol, where Sen. Rob Hutton’s, R-Waukesha County, legislation received a hearing in the Assembly.
Hutton’s plan would help catch people who drive past buses while they are stopped. He says passing buses is extremely dangerous and says reckless drivers need to be caught.
“When a reckless driver endangers children, we have a responsibility to make sure they can’t just drive away from the consequences. This bill ensures law enforcement can identify people who recklessly endanger children, fine them, and deter this behavior in the future,” Hutton said.
Cameras on school bus arm’s could cost taxpayers between $3,300 and $7,000 per bus, but some companies offer them at no cost if they receive a portion of each fine.
It is already illegal for drivers in Wisconsin to pass a stopped school bus, and prosecutors can even file recklessly passing a stopped school bus charges.
Some local schools already have cameras on school buses.
Beloit, for example, is in the middle of a pilot program that has put cameras on three of its school buses, but there is no statewide requirement.
The legislation would allow local police departments or sheriff’s offices to use the school bus video to find drivers who pass buses, and issue tickets after the fact.
“The officer may then issue a citation as provided for a violation reported by a school bus operator. Alternately, if authorized by the municipality in which the violation occurred, the owner, operator, or third-party vendor may prepare a traffic citation and deliver it, together with a picture or video of the violation, to a traffic officer for the officer’s approval and issuance,” the legislation reads.
Hutton said 25 states already have mandates for cameras aimed at drivers who pass school buses. He is hoping that Wisconsin will become the 26th.
The plan, however, has a long way to go before it could become law.
There’s almost no chance lawmakers will take any final votes on the legislation before next spring.
