County Executive Adam Bello announces the launch of a new school bus camera safety program that will begin in the Spencerport Central School District this fall

Monroe County, New York – As families across Monroe County prepare to send their children back to school, officials are putting student safety front and center. On Tuesday, Monroe County Executive Adam Bello announced that the Spencerport Central School District will become the latest district to join the county’s expanding School Bus Safety Program.

The initiative, developed in partnership with BusPatrol, uses cameras mounted on school bus stop-arms to capture violations when drivers illegally pass buses that are stopped with red lights flashing. These cameras provide law enforcement with the evidence needed to issue citations to motorists who ignore one of the most basic traffic safety rules in New York State.

Bello emphasized that the program is about more than enforcing the law—it is about preventing the unthinkable. “All students and school staff deserve to feel safe as they travel to and from school each day,” said County Executive Bello. “This partnership with BusPatrol and the Spencerport Central School District will hold dangerous drivers accountable and prevent tragedies before they happen. I thank Spencerport for prioritizing student safety and encourage every district in Monroe County to adopt this life-saving program.”

A Law Often Ignored

Under New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law, motorists must stop for a school bus that is displaying red flashing lights and an extended stop-arm. This requirement applies whether drivers are approaching from the front or rear, and regardless of whether the roadway is divided or undivided. Yet, despite the clarity of the law, violations are rampant.

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County data illustrates just how widespread the problem is. Since the School Bus Safety Program began in October 2023, more than 13,300 citations have been issued countywide. During the 2024–25 school year alone, over 8,500 drivers were caught on camera illegally passing stopped school buses.

The situation is not merely an urban or suburban issue. In districts where buses travel on higher-speed rural roads, the risks multiply. At those speeds, a single driver’s lapse in judgment can have deadly consequences.

Spencerport Steps In

Spencerport Superintendent Ty Zinkiewich underscored the district’s commitment to protecting its students. “I want to express my gratitude to the county for launching this important program to enforce the laws against passing a stopped school bus,” Zinkiewich said. “Participating in this initiative is crucial for ensuring the safety of our students, particularly around our bus stops. Together, we are making a commitment to protect our students and create a safer environment for all.”

By joining the program, Spencerport becomes the sixth suburban district to participate, following Hilton, East Irondequoit, Webster, Monroe BOCES 1, and Greece. The county has made the program available to all suburban districts, pending approval from their Boards of Education.

A Broader Effort to Change Behavior

The program will launch in Spencerport on September 4 with a 30-day warning phase. During this period, drivers who are caught on camera illegally passing a school bus will receive a warning letter but no fine. This educational stage is designed to alert motorists of the program and remind them of their legal obligations.

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Beginning October 6, however, real consequences will follow. Drivers cited for a first offense will face a $250 fine. Repeat violators within an 18-month window will see escalating penalties. County leaders hope this financial deterrent, combined with awareness, will reduce the frequency of violations.

Monroe County Legislature President Yversha Román described the stakes plainly. “I am glad to see Spencerport Central School District join this important safety initiative just as students and staff return for the new school year. We know that in rural and suburban areas, children are at even greater risk when drivers ignore school bus stop arms, often at higher speeds. Expanding this safety program into Spencerport is a critical step to protect students, hold negligent drivers accountable, and give families peace of mind that their children can travel to and from school safely.”

A Growing Coalition

Other county officials also welcomed Spencerport’s decision. Legislator Robert J. Colby pointed to the broad responsibility communities have to protect children on their way to and from school. “The safety of our students will always be one of our top priorities—whether they are in the classroom, at home, or riding the bus,” Colby said. “I am proud that the Spencerport Central School District has joined with Monroe County in the School Bus Camera Safety Program. This partnership will help hold reckless drivers accountable and give families greater peace of mind knowing their children are safer traveling to and from school each day.”

David Richardson, who chairs the Monroe County Traffic Safety Board, highlighted just how common violations can be. “As chair of the Monroe County Traffic Safety Board, I’m proud to see more school districts joining the great partnership with BusPatrol and Monroe County,” Richardson said. “During the 2024–2025 school year, more than 5,000 tickets were issued to motorists illegally passing school buses in Greece Central School District alone, which equated to more than 27 violations per day. This partnership provides a level of assurance that motorists are being held accountable. We need motorists to understand the importance of stopping for the red lights of our school buses each and every day. The safety and well-being of our students and staff depends on it!”

Expanding Across the Region

The Spencerport announcement comes as momentum builds around the initiative. Earlier this year, the Rochester City School District launched its own version of the program in partnership with BusPatrol after approval from its Board of Education. That move ensured that both city and suburban students are now covered under similar enforcement systems.

County leaders view this broadening network of participating districts as essential. A program that is widely adopted, they argue, sends a consistent message to drivers no matter where they travel: failing to stop for a school bus will not be tolerated.

Looking Ahead

For Monroe County, the success of the program will be measured not simply in citations but in safer streets and fewer close calls. Officials hope that as the cameras become a familiar presence, drivers will think twice before rushing past a stopped bus.

Still, the statistics remain sobering. Thousands of drivers each year are willing to gamble with children’s safety to save a few moments of time. Programs like this aim to tip the balance toward caution, reminding motorists that the few seconds spent waiting for a bus to move can mean the difference between safety and disaster.

With Spencerport now on board, county leaders are optimistic that more districts will follow suit. For parents and school staff preparing for the new academic year, the promise is simple but profound: the community is working to ensure that every child’s ride to school is a safe one.

More information about Monroe County’s stop-arm camera safety program can be found at www.monroecounty.gov/school-bus-safety.