Canfield Schools add cameras to buses to improve safety, catch drivers in violation

CANFIELD, Ohio (WKBN) – Summer is almost over and it will soon be time for students to head back to the classroom, but they can’t learn if they don’t get to class safely.

School bus drivers have the big task of getting kids to and from school safely every day. Technology like stop-arm cameras can help, but it’s also up to other drivers to pay attention.

“The safety of our students is our number one priority,” said Steve Garstka, the Canfield school resource officer.

Canfield Schools uses cameras on the side of the bus to read license plates and film violations, such as drivers on the other side of the road not stopping for the bus.

“Most of our violations come from folks traveling in the opposite direction of school buses,” Garstka said.

Police say they see an uptick in violations in the fall.

Drivers are required to stop at least 10 feet in front of or behind a school bus when it’s stopped and the flashing lights are on.

It’s not just buses you have to pay attention to. Kids walking to school or waiting for the bus in the morning should also be on your radar.

“The most dangerous part of getting to school is not riding the school bus, but rather getting on the school bus,” Garstka said.

Tiffany Stanley, with AAA East Central, says it’s important that your kids pay attention when walking to school or the bus stop to help avoid accidents.

“Not texting while trying to cross the street, also taking off your headphones and making sure that you’re listening to your surroundings,” she said.

She added that it’s ultimately on drivers to pay attention.

Warren City Schools has 22 bus drivers this year. They say an issue they see is drivers not stopping for buses at railroad crossings.

“A lot of drivers, unfortunately, don’t pay attention and can come up on the bus pretty quickly behind them if they’re not watching,” said John Lacey, the executive director of business operations at Warren City Schools.

Lacey says bus drivers have to be aware of the road and other drivers, as well as the kids on their bus — which can be a big distraction Warren City Schools is working to mitigate.

“We do like to put additional aides on buses if we have enough staff,” he said.

Police want to remind drivers that you do not have to stop for a bus on the opposite side of the road if you’re on a four-lane road. Vehicles traveling in the same direction as the bus still have to stop.

If the road is only two lanes, you must stop for a school bus no matter what side you’re on.

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