UPDATE: In a shocking revelation, New Haven’s new automated enforcement program has caught 847 drivers illegally passing stopped school buses, posing a significant safety risk to students. The incidents occurred between March 2 and March 6, 2026, during the program’s inaugural week, with each violation resulting in a $250 fine.
City officials, including Mayor Justin Elicker, confirmed that the newly installed cameras on the city’s 340 school buses recorded these violations, marking an urgent call for increased driver awareness and compliance. “All our students deserve a safe commute to and from school,” Elicker stated. He emphasized the importance of adhering to the law: when a school bus has its red lights flashing and stop arm extended, all vehicles must come to a halt.
The program, initiated by New Haven Public Schools (NHPS) in collaboration with its bus contractor, First Student, and the technology firm BusPatrol, started issuing citations on March 2, after a month-long warning period. During this warning phase, which lasted from January 30 to February 25, the city sent out nearly 1,880 warning letters to drivers caught on camera.
Officials report that the program aims to enhance student safety, yet the high number of violations reported within just one week raises serious concerns. The cameras also recorded 59 potential violations that were later determined not to be infractions upon review.
Elicker noted, “In one week, student safety was compromised nearly 850 times by drivers who illegally passed yellow school buses.” The city hopes that the financial implications of these citations will encourage compliance and protect the lives of young students.
Ryan Monnell, Executive Vice President of Government Operations at BusPatrol, highlighted the necessity of the program for ensuring students’ safety. “New Haven’s students deserve to get to and from school safely,” he remarked. “The warning period showed just how often drivers were illegally passing stopped school buses.”
As the program continues, authorities are calling on the community to support these safety measures. Residents are urged to share the information widely to raise awareness and ensure that all drivers understand the life-threatening consequences of ignoring school bus safety laws.
With 847 tickets already issued, this development underscores an urgent need for drivers in New Haven to prioritize the safety of students. The high violation rate not only highlights reckless driving behaviors but also serves as a reminder of the critical importance of adhering to traffic laws near schools.
This story is developing. Stay tuned for further updates as New Haven officials continue to monitor the program’s impact and effectiveness.
