United Independent School District is leading the way in implementing innovative new technology that will enhance the way bus safety laws are enforced. The District announced the launch of its school bus stop-arm camera pilot program in partnership with BusPatrol, the nation’s leading stop-arm enforcement solution. The program aims to enhance student transportation safety by addressing reckless and illegal motorist behavior around school buses.
School buses in the district have been equipped with the most advanced stop-arm cameras to reveal just how often cars unlawfully pass stopped school buses, jeopardizing student safety. The system utilizes an Artificial Intelligence called Ava, which is installed on buses to monitor passing traffic. The system is activated when buses stop to drop off or pick up students, and utilizes cameras that record passing vehicles. It detects cars that pass school buses illegally, and alerts authorities of violations while also identifying the vehicles and their license plates. The goal is to deter drivers from passing parked school buses as students board and disembark. Additionally, the system has internal cameras that monitor students as they board and ride the bus, thus assisting the District in better supervising students as they commute to and from school each day.
United ISD is the first district in Texas to participate in a school bus illegal-passing pilot program with BusPatrol. Data from bus driver counts suggest that Texas school buses are illegally passed over 8,500 times a day equivalent to more than 1.5 million passes each school year.
“United ISD is leading the charge to make roads safer for students in Laredo and across Texas,” said Donald Wolfe, VP of Government Relations at BusPatrol. “We’re proud to partner with United ISD to advance this vital public safety legislation in the Lone Star State. With reckless and distracted driving on the rise, it’s crucial that we come together to keep our kids safe on their rides to and from school.”
The program is expected to highlight the need for legislation supporting the use of school bus stop-arm cameras in Texas. The results of the data obtained will be used to campaign for a fix to state law and raise awareness about the dangers students face on the ride to and from school.
This technology will enable the school district to access valuable data, including where and when violations are most likely to occur.
Texas State Representative Richard Pena Raymond, whose district is home to United ISD, was instrumental in the pilot launch. "Texas is facing a school bus safety crisis, with distracted driving on the rise and students needlessly put at risk each day," said Representative Raymond. "Protecting our children is my top priority, which is why I’m proud to champion this initiative in my district and advocate for legislation that ensures every child statewide can get to and from school safely."
UISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Gerado Cruz was optimistic about this program, “We are the first in the State of Texas to use this system. So, we are going to be setting the example, making sure we relay our data and insights to our state representative. Hopefully, our utilization will prevent these kinds of violations and protect the vital passengers we have on our school buses,” he said.
At least 27 states, including Florida, Tennessee, and North Carolina, have legalized school bus stop-arm enforcement programs.
Without a fix to Texas state law, most local police departments and sheriff’s offices are unable to leverage photo enforcement technology to hold drivers accountable for breaking the law and failing to stop. The district hopes the findings from this stop-arm survey will serve as a compelling case for passing laws that allow for more effective enforcement measures in Texas.
From left to right: UISD Police Dept. Public Information Officer Sylvia Abrego, Assoc. Superintendent of Administration/Operations Services Mike Garza, State Representative Richard Raymond, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Gerardo Cruz, Laredo Police Dept. Public Information Officer Jose Baeza
BusPatrol Vice President of Government Relations Donny Wolf
UISD Superintendent Dr. Gerardo Cruz
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