Neshaminy, Middletown Approve Automated School Bus Enforcement Program

School buses lined up in a Pennsylvania depot.

Drivers who ignore flashing school bus lights and put kids at risk are about to get a rude awakening in Middletown Township after officials just signed off on a new camera enforcement program.

The Middletown Township Board of Supervisors approved their involvement in an automated school bus stop arm enforcement program run by the Neshaminy School District and BusPatrol Inc.

The new enforcement program aims to increase student safety by deterring illegal passings of stopped school buses.

The program will equip Neshaminy School District buses with cameras that automatically detect and record vehicles that pass buses when their red lights are flashing and stop arms are deployed.

“We all know how dangerous it is when a driver passes a stopped school bus while its red lights are flashing and the stop arm is deployed. This isn’t just illegal, it puts the lives of children at serious risk,” Police Chief Joseph Bartorilla told the supervisors.

Despite ongoing public awareness campaigns, violations remain frequent and pose a challenge for police departments due to limited resources for enforcement.

“I was pretty amazed when I talked to my colleagues in neighboring police departments how frequently it happens. I wasn’t prepared for how many violations actually occur,” Bartorilla said, citing that Bensalem Township records approximately 5,000 violations annually, Warrington around 400 per month, and Falls Township between 200 and 300 each month.

Under the new program, video footage of potential violations will be securely transmitted to the police department, where an officer will review the incident to confirm if a violation occurred.

If confirmed, a civil citation will be issued the chief said.

The citations are civil violations only and carry no points on a driver’s license.

The statewide fine is set at $300 and is distributed as follows: $150 to BusPatrol for equipment and maintenance, $100 to the Neshaminy School District, $25 to PennDOT, and $25 to the police department to offset review costs, Bartorilla said.

A Middletown Township police SUV. File photo.

Bartorilla noted the program’s success in neighboring communities, including the Bensalem Township, Pennsbury, and Central Bucks school districts.

Based on talking to police officials, the chief said BusPatrol has proven to be an effective deterrent in Bucks County.

Unlike traffic light cameras, the system provides full video evidence.

Drivers wishing to appeal a violation can request a virtual PennDOT hearing and potentially further court hearings, the chief said.

While supervisors Dana Kane and Amy Strouse raised concerns about the finances and potential administrative burden on the police department, Bartorilla assured them that any of the three entities could terminate the five-year contract with 90 days’ notice without penalty. Kane and Strouse noted they were in support of efforts to improve safety for students.

Supervisor Chairperson Mike Ksiazek voiced strong support for the program.

“I understand everybody has concern about the cost involved and that’s fair. I personally am concerned about being penny-wise and pound foolish with a public safety issue where our chief is asking for it, where the school district’s already approved it, and where our neighboring municipalities and districts have already entered into similar agreements,” Ksiazek said.

“I just don’t want to be in a scenario where we don’t do this and some kid gets hit by a car and we’re going to be like, ‘well, was it worth saving $25?’ or we’re complaining about $25,” he added.

The Neshaminy School District approved the agreement in February and plans to outfit its buses over the summer.

The program is expected to roll out in September with the new school year, and there will be a 30- to 60-day warning period before actual citations are issued.

Neshaminy officials, after consulting with other school districts, expressed satisfaction with the BusPatrol system, according to meeting minutes.

The district’s vehicles travel more than 1 million miles annually and transport 8,500 district students and 2,900 non-public school students.

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