County Executive Adam Bello announces expansion of the Monroe County school bus safety program with Brighton and Pittsford school districts joining

Monroe County, New York – As classrooms across Monroe County begin to fill again with the sounds of a new school week, local officials are placing renewed emphasis on a familiar but critical concern: keeping students safe on their daily journeys to and from school. This week, County Executive Adam Bello announced that the Brighton Central School District and the Pittsford Central School District have officially joined the Monroe County School Bus Safety Program, expanding a growing countywide effort to crack down on dangerous driving behavior around school buses.

The announcement comes at a time when school traffic is once again peaking during morning and afternoon hours, and when illegal passing of stopped school buses remains a persistent and potentially deadly problem. By enrolling in the program, both districts will begin using stop-arm camera technology on their buses, a move county leaders say will strengthen enforcement and send a clear message to drivers that violations will no longer go unnoticed.

Through a partnership with stop-arm enforcement technology provider BusPatrol and Brighton’s transportation contractor, First Student, Inc., school buses in both districts will be equipped with cameras designed to automatically record vehicles that illegally pass a bus while its stop-arm is extended and red lights are flashing. These images are then reviewed and used to issue citations to vehicle owners, as permitted under New York State law.

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“The safety of our students and staff is nonnegotiable—it is our highest priority. By utilizing this technology, we are significantly strengthening public safety: improving school bus safety, holding reckless drivers accountable, and helping prevent tragedies before they occur,” said County Executive Bello. “I commend the Brighton, Pittsford Central School Districts, along with each of the districts already enrolled, their Boards of Education and their superintendents for demonstrating leadership and making student safety their top priority.”

The Monroe County School Bus Safety Program has already produced measurable results. During the current school year alone, more than 2,600 citations have been issued to vehicle owners in participating districts. Since the program’s launch in October 2023, that number has climbed past 16,000, highlighting both the scale of the problem and the reach of the enforcement effort.

Under New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law, drivers are required to stop whenever a school bus displays flashing red lights and an extended stop-arm. The rule applies regardless of whether a vehicle is approaching from the front or the rear, and regardless of the type of roadway. Despite the clarity of the law, violations remain common, often occurring during moments when children are entering or exiting the bus.

Brighton and Pittsford now join a growing list of participating districts, including West Irondequoit, Spencerport, Hilton, East Irondequoit, Webster, and Greece Central School Districts. All suburban school districts in Monroe County are eligible to take part in the program at no cost, provided their Boards of Education approve participation. County leaders say this structure is designed to remove financial barriers while promoting a consistent approach to student safety.

For school administrators, the decision to join the program is rooted in daily realities faced by students, families, and bus drivers. Brighton Central School District Superintendent Dr. Kevin McGowan emphasized the trust parents place in the district every morning.

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“Every day, the families of our district put their children on buses and entrust us with their safety. Our 47 drivers are transporting more than 2,800 children to and from school each day — the most precious cargo there is. Our drivers from First Student are amazing people and do an outstanding job driving throughout our Town. However, they cannot control what the other drivers on the road are doing. We hope that these cameras can act as a deterrent to drivers taking risks and making bad choices that could put our students in danger, particularly around bus stops,” said McGowan.

Pittsford Central School District Superintendent Shana Cutaia echoed those concerns, noting that enforcement plays a key role in changing driver behavior and building safer habits across the community.

“We are grateful to the county for implementing this vital program to enforce laws that protect students when school buses are stopped. Every child deserves safe passage to and from school, and we are hopeful this initiative will enhance safety by encouraging motorists to slow down, stay alert, and follow the law, leading to safer roads for our entire community,” said Cutaia.

Other districts already participating in the program have also expressed strong support. West Irondequoit Central School District Superintendent Dr. Aaron Johnson described the initiative as a practical and effective use of modern technology.

“Teaming up with Monroe County to implement stop-arm cameras has been a win-win for our district and community,” Johnson said. “It’s a great use of new technology to enhance safety for our most precious commodity, our students and children. We couldn’t be happier with how this program has started.”

As Brighton, Pittsford, and West Irondequoit bring their buses online, all three districts will first enter a 30-day warning period. During this phase, motorists caught illegally passing a stopped school bus will receive warning letters rather than fines. County officials say the goal is education as much as enforcement, giving drivers a clear opportunity to correct their behavior.

Once the warning period concludes, penalties will increase significantly. A first offense will result in a $250 fine, with escalating penalties for repeat violations within an 18-month period. All three districts are scheduled to begin issuing citations and fines starting February 9.

County lawmakers have consistently backed the program, viewing it as a long-term investment in public safety. County Legislature President Yversha Román pointed to the program’s steady expansion as evidence of its effectiveness and broad support.

“Since its launch just over two years ago, Monroe County’s School Bus Safety Program has grown steadily across our county, reflecting a deliberate commitment by school districts to prioritize student safety,” Román said. “The Legislature supported this program because it creates a consistent, countywide approach to protecting children and reinforcing accountability on our roads. Its continued expansion shows that communities across Monroe County recognize the importance of strong, preventative measures that keep students safe.”

Public Safety Committee Chair Legislator Dave Long also praised the addition of Brighton and Pittsford, noting the reassurance the program provides to families.

“I am excited to learn that the Brighton and Pittsford Central School Districts are joining the County’s Stop Arm Camera initiative,” Long said. “This technology continues to bring peace of mind to parents and protect students across our community. I appreciate the commitment from the County and our local school districts to prioritize our children’s safety.”

Republican Leader Sean McCabe framed the initiative as part of a broader countywide effort that he hopes will eventually include every district.

“Keeping children safe when they travel to and from school must always be a top priority, and that is exactly what we set out to do when the school bus stop-arm program was launched in 2023,” McCabe said. “By joining this program, Brighton and Pittsford are taking meaningful steps to protect students, expand public safety on our roads, and strengthen a system that continues to grow. I look forward to the day when this proven safety measure is in place across all of Monroe County to help protect every student.”

As the school year moves forward, county officials say the expanded program will continue to rely on a mix of technology, enforcement, and public awareness. For families waiting at bus stops and drivers sharing the road, the message remains simple and consistent: stop-arm laws exist to protect lives, and Monroe County is increasingly determined to make sure they are followed.