School Bus Camera Safety Act Press Conference

On Tuesday, June 12 at 10 a.m., New York State Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I – 57th District) will host a press conference on Senate Bill 518-B, the “School Bus Camera Safety Act,” which authorizes the installation and use of stop-arm cameras on school buses to detect and record vehicles illegally passing stopped school buses.  The bill would permit evidence taken from the cameras to be used in issuing tickets to violators. 

The scope of the problem is startling. Studies have estimated that more than 50,000 drivers throughout New York on a single school day illegally pass stopped school buses. Stop arm violations are a growing concern throughout the nation, prompting many states to enact legislation similar to this bill, including Maryland, Connecticut, Georgia, North Carolina, Iowa, Virginia and Washington.  

Prime sponsor of the bill since 2013, Senator Young is joined by several co-sponsors in supporting the measure, including Senators Addabbo, Akshar, Avella, Bonacic, Boyle, Funke, Helming, Marchione, Murphy, O’Mara, Peralta, Ritchie, Savino, Tedisco and Valesky. Assemblyman William Magnarelli has a same-as bill (A.321-B). 

Speakers at the press conference will include Senator Young, Assemblyman William Magnarelli, Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple, Peter Mannella, Executive Director of the New York Association for Pupil Transportation and Charles Dedrick, Executive Director of the NYS Council of School Superintendents. 

Members of the media are invited and encouraged to attend.