Bus arm cameras running as school year begins

Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The new school year begins in Buffalo Public Schools on Thursday, and a reminder to drivers to not pass stopped school buses with lights flashing. There's new technology to help enforce that law.

Justin Meyers of BusPatrol says there is an AI system watching the cameras designed to spot violations.

"When it does, it cuts an evidence package from the relevant angles of the camera," said Meyers.

BusPatrol will then go through three layers of human review to determine if it's a violation, and then it then goes to the city.

Meyers says if the city determines a violation was made, a ticket will be sent.

"That notice will have all the details. It will have still photographs of the violation. There will also be a link to alertbus.com and you can watch the violation happen," Meyers explained.

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown says the goal is not to issue tickets.

"I hope no one gets a ticket," said Brown.

He hopes every child gets on and off a school bus safely and home to their parents.

The arm cameras were put in place this summer, with warnings issued to violators. The current grace period for drivers will end on Oct. 1.